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Esfahani MB, Khodavandi A, Alizadeh F, Bahador N. Possible Molecular Targeting of Biofilm-Associated Genes by Nano-Ag in Candida albicans. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 196:4205-4233. [PMID: 37922031 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04758-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of candidiasis infections is hindered by the presence of biofilms. Here, we report the biofilm-associated genes as potential molecular targets by silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) in Candida albicans. Nano-Ag was biosynthesized using Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus cereus, and Fusarium oxysporum. The physicochemical properties of the microbial-synthesized of nano-Ag are widely characterized by visual observation, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Characterization results revealed the formation of nano-Ag. Antiplanktonic cells and antibiofilm activities of nano-Ag were also demonstrated by minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC), minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), MFC/MIC ratio, crystal violet staining, 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5 sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT), and microscopic image analysis. We have analyzed the expressions of biofilm-associated genes in C. albicans treated with different concentrations of nano-Ag based on MIC. The expression profile of BCR1, ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, and ECE1 showed downregulated genes involved in these pathways by the treatment with nanoparticles. Negative regulators, TUP1, NRG1, and TOR1, were upregulated by the treatment of nano-Ag. Our study suggests that nano-Ag affects gene expression and may subsequently decrease the pathogenesis of C. albicans by inhibiting biofilm formation. Molecular targeting of biofilm-associated genes involved in biofilm formation by nano-Ag may be an effective treatment strategy for candidiasis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alireza Khodavandi
- Department of Biology, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran.
| | - Fahimeh Alizadeh
- Department of Biology, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran
| | - Nima Bahador
- Department of Microbiology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
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Sumlu E, Aydin M, Korucu EN, Alyar S, Nsangou AM. Artemisinin May Disrupt Hyphae Formation by Suppressing Biofilm-Related Genes of Candida albicans: In Vitro and In Silico Approaches. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:310. [PMID: 38666986 PMCID: PMC11047306 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the antifungal and antibiofilm efficacy of artemisinin against Candida (C.) species, analyze its impact on gene expression levels within C. albicans biofilms, and investigate the molecular interactions through molecular docking. The antifungal efficacy of artemisinin on a variety of Candida species, including fluconazole-resistant and -susceptible species, was evaluated by the microdilution method. The effect of artemisinin on C. albicans biofilm formation was investigated by MTT and FESEM. The mRNA expression of the genes related to biofilm was analyzed by qRT-PCR. In addition, molecular docking analysis was used to understand the interaction between artemisinin and C. albicans at the molecular level with RAS1-cAMP-EFG1 and EFG1-regulated genes. Artemisinin showed higher sensitivity against non-albicans Candida strains. Furthermore, artemisinin was strongly inhibitory against C. albicans biofilms at 640 µg/mL. Artemisinin downregulated adhesion-related genes ALS3, HWP1, and ECE1, hyphal development genes UME6 and HGC1, and hyphal CAMP-dependent protein kinase regulators CYR1, RAS1, and EFG1. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis revealed that artemisinin and EFG1 had the highest affinity, followed by UME6. FESEM analysis showed that the fluconazole- and artemisinin-treated groups exhibited a reduced hyphal network, unusual surface bulges, and the formation of pores on the cell surfaces. Our study suggests that artemisinin may have antifungal potential and showed a remarkable antibiofilm activity by significantly suppressing adhesion and hyphal development through interaction with key proteins involved in biofilm formation, such as EFG1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Sumlu
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, KTO Karatay University, 42020 Konya, Turkey;
| | - Merve Aydin
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, KTO Karatay University, 42020 Konya, Turkey
| | - Emine Nedime Korucu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Necmettin Erbakan University, 42090 Konya, Turkey;
| | - Saliha Alyar
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Karatekin University, 18100 Çankırı, Turkey;
| | - Ahmed Moustapha Nsangou
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, 42130 Konya, Turkey;
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Nandhagopal M, Mala R, Somarathinam K, Dhakshinamurthy D, Narayanasamy M, Vijayan P, Shankar MM. Anti-fungal effects of novel N-(tert-butyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-amine derivative and it's in-vitro, in-silico, and mode of action against Candida spp. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:186. [PMID: 38509398 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03780-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Imidazoles are a category of azole antifungals that encompass compounds such as ketoconazole, miconazole, esomeprazole, and clotrimazole. In contrast, the triazoles group, which includes fluconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole, also plays a significant role. The rise of antibiotic resistance in fungal pathogens has evolved into a substantial global public health concern. In this study, two newly synthesized imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivative (Probe I and Probe II) molecules were investigated for its antimicrobial potency against of a panel of bacterial (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria) and fungal pathogens. Among the different types of pathogens, we found that Probe II showed excellent antifungal activity against fungal pathogens, based on the preliminary screening the potent molecule further investigated against multidrug-resistance Candida sp. (n = 10) and compared with commercial molecules. In addition, in-silico molecular docking, its dynamics, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) were analyzed. In this study, the small molecule (Probe II) displayed potent activity only against the Candida spp. including several multidrug-resistant Candida spp. Probe II exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration ranges from 4 to 16 µg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentration in the range 4‒32 µg/mL as the lowest concentration enough to eliminate the Candida spp. The selected molecules inhibit the formation of yeast to mold as well as ergosterol formation by the computational simulation against Sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) and inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis by in-vitro model show that the Probe II completely inhibits the formation of ergosterol in yeast cells at 2× MIC. The ADMET analysis Probe II could be moderately toxic to the human being, though the in-vitro toxicity studies will help to understand the real-time toxic level. The novel compound Probe II, which was synthesized during the study, shows promise for development into a new generation of drug treatments aimed at addressing the emerging drug resistance in Candida sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manivannan Nandhagopal
- Bio-Control and Microbial Product Lab, Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602105, India.
| | - Ramanjaneyulu Mala
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai, 600020, India
| | - Kanagasabai Somarathinam
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Divya Dhakshinamurthy
- Department of Chemistry, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr, Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi, Chennai, 600062, India
| | - Mathivanan Narayanasamy
- Biocontrol and Microbial Metabolites Lab, Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Priyadharshni Vijayan
- Biocontrol and Microbial Metabolites Lab, Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manimuthu Mani Shankar
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602105, India
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Carmona Rendón Y, Garzón HS, Bueno-Silva B, Arce RM, Suárez LJ. Cannabinoids in Periodontology: Where Are We Now? Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1687. [PMID: 38136721 PMCID: PMC10740419 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabinoids are a well-documented treatment modality for various immune and inflammatory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Crohn's disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and a range of neurodegenerative conditions. However, limited information is available regarding the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in treating periodontal disease. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to analyze the current evidence on the antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects of cannabis and its role in the healing and regeneration processes within periodontal tissues. RESULTS This review discusses the potential role of cannabinoids in restoring periodontal tissue homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS The examination of the endocannabinoid system and the physiological effects of cannabinoids in the periodontium suggests that they possess immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties, which could potentially promote proper tissue healing and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yésica Carmona Rendón
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Medicina Oral, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
| | - Hernán Santiago Garzón
- Programa de Doctorado en Ingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia;
| | - Bruno Bueno-Silva
- Departamento de Biociências, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba 13414-903, Brazil;
| | - Roger M. Arce
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Hygiene, University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA;
| | - Lina Janeth Suárez
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Medicina Oral, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Centro de Investigaciones Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
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Jin X, Hou X, Wang X, Zhang M, Chen J, Song M, Zhang J, Zheng H, Chang W, Lou H. Characterization of an allosteric inhibitor of fungal-specific C-24 sterol methyltransferase to treat Candida albicans infections. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:553-568.e7. [PMID: 37160123 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Filamentation is an important virulence factor of the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. The abolition of Candida albicans hyphal formation by disrupting sterol synthesis is an important concept for the development of antifungal drugs with high safety. Here, we conduct a high-throughput screen using a C. albicans strain expressing green fluorescent protein-labeled Dpp3 to identify anti-hypha agents by interfering with ergosterol synthesis. The antipyrine derivative H55 is characterized to have minimal cytotoxicity and potent inhibition of C. albicans hyphal formation in multiple cultural conditions. H55 monotherapy exhibits therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of azole-resistant candidiasis. H55 treatment increases the accumulation of zymosterol, the substrate of C-24 sterol methyltransferase (Erg6). The results of enzyme assays, photoaffinity labeling, molecular simulation, mutagenesis, and cellular thermal shift assays support H55 as an allosteric inhibitor of Erg6. Collectively, H55, an inhibitor of the fungal-specific enzyme Erg6, holds potential to treat C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Jin
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xuben Hou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Institute of Medical Science, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinyao Chen
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Minghui Song
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hongbo Zheng
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenqiang Chang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Hongxiang Lou
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
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Wolfson G, Sionov RV, Smoum R, Korem M, Polacheck I, Steinberg D. Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Anandamide against the Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076177. [PMID: 37047147 PMCID: PMC10094667 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is a cariogenic bacterium in the oral cavity involved in plaque formation and dental caries. The endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), a naturally occurring bioactive lipid, has been shown to have anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus. We aimed here to study its effects on S. mutans viability, biofilm formation and extracellular polysaccharide substance (EPS) production. S. mutans were cultivated in the absence or presence of various concentrations of AEA, and the planktonic growth was followed by changes in optical density (OD) and colony-forming units (CFU). The resulting biofilms were examined by MTT metabolic assay, Crystal Violet (CV) staining, spinning disk confocal microscopy (SDCM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). The EPS production was determined by Congo Red and fluorescent dextran staining. Membrane potential and membrane permeability were determined by diethyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC2(3)) and SYTO 9/propidium iodide (PI) staining, respectively, using flow cytometry. We observed that AEA was bactericidal to S. mutans at 12.5 µg/mL and prevented biofilm formation at the same concentration. AEA reduced the biofilm thickness and biomass with concomitant reduction in total EPS production, although there was a net increase in EPS per bacterium. Preformed biofilms were significantly affected at 50 µg/mL AEA. We further show that AEA increased the membrane permeability and induced membrane hyperpolarization of these bacteria. AEA caused S. mutans to become elongated at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Gene expression studies showed a significant increase in the cell division gene ftsZ. The concentrations of AEA needed for the anti-bacterial effects were below the cytotoxic concentration for normal Vero epithelial cells. Altogether, our data show that AEA has anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities against S. mutans and may have a potential role in preventing biofilms as a therapeutic measure.
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Harikrishnan P, Arayambath B, Jayaraman VK, Ekambaram K, Ahmed EA, Senthilkumar P, Ibrahim HIM, Sundaresan A, Thirugnanasambantham K. Thidiazuron, a phenyl-urea cytokinin, inhibits ergosterol synthesis and attenuates biofilm formation of Candida albicans. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:224. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03410-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Antifungal activity of dehydrocurvularin for Candida spp. through the inhibition of adhesion to human adenocarcinoma cells. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2022; 75:530-533. [PMID: 35859164 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-022-00543-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cell adhesion plays a crucial role in candidiasis through invasion of the human body and obtaining resistance to drugs by forming biofilms. Cell adhesion thus is a critical target for combating candidiasis by preventing the entry of fungal hyphae into the epithelium. We report here that dehydrocurvularin (1), isolated from the marine-derived fungus Curvularia aeria, exhibited anti-fungal activities for Candida albicans and Candida auris. This compound also prevented the adherence of C. albicans to human adenocarcinoma cells. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that exposure to 1 results in decreased expression of HWP1, EFG1, and ECE1, genes involved in Candida adhesion to epithelial cells and hyphal morphogenesis.
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Sionov RV, Steinberg D. Anti-Microbial Activity of Phytocannabinoids and Endocannabinoids in the Light of Their Physiological and Pathophysiological Roles. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030631. [PMID: 35327432 PMCID: PMC8945038 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has become an increasing challenge in the treatment of various infectious diseases, especially those associated with biofilm formation on biotic and abiotic materials. There is an urgent need for new treatment protocols that can also target biofilm-embedded bacteria. Many secondary metabolites of plants possess anti-bacterial activities, and especially the phytocannabinoids of the Cannabis sativa L. varieties have reached a renaissance and attracted much attention for their anti-microbial and anti-biofilm activities at concentrations below the cytotoxic threshold on normal mammalian cells. Accordingly, many synthetic cannabinoids have been designed with the intention to increase the specificity and selectivity of the compounds. The structurally unrelated endocannabinoids have also been found to have anti-microbial and anti-biofilm activities. Recent data suggest for a mutual communication between the endocannabinoid system and the gut microbiota. The present review focuses on the anti-microbial activities of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids integrated with some selected issues of their many physiological and pharmacological activities.
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Anandamide alters the membrane properties, halts the cell division and prevents drug efflux in multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8690. [PMID: 33888802 PMCID: PMC8062478 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88099-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem throughout the world. Overcoming methicillin and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA/MDRSA) infections has become a challenge and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. We have previously demonstrated that the endocannabinoid Anandamide (AEA) can sensitize MRSA to antibiotics. Here we have studied the mechanism of action using a MDRSA clinical isolate that are sensitized by AEA to methicillin and norfloxacin. We found that AEA treatment halts the growth of both antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant S. aureus. The AEA-treated bacteria become elongated and the membranes become ruffled with many protrusions. AEA treatment also leads to an increase in the percentage of bacteria having a complete septum, suggesting that the cell division is halted at this stage. The latter is supported by cell cycle analysis that shows an accumulation of bacteria in the G2/M phase after AEA treatment. We further observed that AEA causes a dose-dependent membrane depolarization that is partly relieved upon time. Nile red staining of the bacterial membranes indicates that AEA alters the membrane structures. Importantly, 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) accumulation assay and ethidium bromide efflux (EtBr) assay unveiled that AEA leads to a dose-dependent drug accumulation by inhibiting drug efflux. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that AEA interferes with cell division, alters the membrane properties of MDRSA, and leads to increased intracellular drug retention, which can contribute to the sensitization of MDRSA to antibiotics.
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Anti-Biofilm Activity of Cannabidiol against Candida albicans. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020441. [PMID: 33672633 PMCID: PMC7924206 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen in humans. Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor of C. albicans infections. We investigated the ability of the plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD) to inhibit the formation and removal of fungal biofilms. Further, we evaluated its mode of action. Our findings demonstrate that CBD exerts pronounced time-dependent inhibitory effects on biofilm formation as well as disruption of mature biofilm at a concentration range below minimal inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations. CBD acts at several levels. It modifies the architecture of fungal biofilm by reducing its thickness and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production accompanied by downregulation of genes involved in EPS synthesis. It alters the fungal morphology that correlated with upregulation of yeast-associated genes and downregulation of hyphae-specific genes. Importantly, it represses the expression of C. albicans virulence-associated genes. In addition, CBD increases ROS production, reduces the intracellular ATP levels, induces mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, modifies the cell wall, and increases the plasma membrane permeability. In conclusion, we propose that CBD exerts its activity towards C. albicans biofilm through a multi-target mode of action, which differs from common antimycotic agents, and thus can be explored for further development as an alternative treatment against fungal infections.
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