RESUMO
Aim: This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of gentian violet (GV) in an experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) model. Materials & methods: In vitro susceptibility and cytotoxicity assays were performed to validate the antifungal potential and safety of GV. The antifungal efficacy was then evaluated in vivo through comparative analysis of the fungal burden following treatment with GV or nystatin, as well as assessment of the vaginal tissue by histology and electron microscopy. Results: GV demonstrated a safe antifungal profile against C. albicans, with a significant decrease in fungal burden and an improvement in the inflammatory process evaluated histologically. Conclusion: The results of this study motivate further assessment of GV as a promising alternative for VVC therapy.
Assuntos
Candidíase Vulvovaginal , Feminino , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Candidíase Vulvovaginal/tratamento farmacológico , Candidíase Vulvovaginal/microbiologia , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Antifúngicos/uso terapêutico , Violeta Genciana/uso terapêutico , Candida albicans , Nistatina/farmacologia , Nistatina/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Aim: To evaluate changes in virulence and pathogenicity approaches from Candida albicans after successive passages in a murine model of systemic candidiasis. Materials & methods: Phenotypic assays were performed using colonies recovered from animals infected serially, totalizing five passages. Results: A progressive infection was observed along the passages, with increased fungal burden and the presence of greater inflammatory areas in the histopathological findings. Recovered strains exhibited increased filamentation and biofilm abilities, along with modulation of phospholipase and proteinase activities. Conclusion: Repeated contact between yeast and host increased the expression of virulence factors. Furthermore, a correspondence between phenotypic profile and proteomic data obtained previously was observed.
Assuntos
Candida albicans/patogenicidade , Candidíase/microbiologia , Fatores de Virulência/metabolismo , Animais , Biofilmes/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Candida albicans/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Candida albicans/metabolismo , Contagem de Colônia Microbiana , Citocinas/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Rim/metabolismo , Rim/microbiologia , Rim/patologia , Camundongos , Peptídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Fosfolipases/metabolismoRESUMO
Aim: A structural model of chorismate synthase (CS) from the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans was used for virtual screening simulations. Methods: Docking, molecular dynamics, cell growth inhibition and protein binding assays were used for search and validation. Results: Two molecules termed CS8 and CaCS02 were identified. Further studies of the minimal inhibitory concentration demonstrated fungicidal activity against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis with a minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration of 512 and 32 µg·ml-1 for CS8 and CaCS02, respectively. In addition, CaCS02 showed a strong synergistic effect in combination with amphotericin B without cytotoxic effects. In vitro studies using recombinant CS from P. brasiliensis showed IC50 of 29 µM for CaCS02 supporting our interpretation that inhibition of CS causes the observed fungicidal activity.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Proteínas Fúngicas/antagonistas & inibidores , Paracoccidioides/efeitos dos fármacos , Fósforo-Oxigênio Liases/antagonistas & inibidores , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Anfotericina B/farmacologia , Animais , Antifúngicos/química , Antifúngicos/metabolismo , Candida albicans/enzimologia , Chlorocebus aethiops , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Proteínas Fúngicas/química , Proteínas Fúngicas/metabolismo , Células HeLa , Humanos , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Estrutura Molecular , Paracoccidioides/enzimologia , Fósforo-Oxigênio Liases/química , Fósforo-Oxigênio Liases/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Células VeroRESUMO
Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) mediated by hypericin encapsulated in P-123 copolymeric micelles (P123-Hyp) alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLU) against planktonic cells and biofilm formation of Candida species Materials & methods: PDI was performed using P123-Hyp and an LED device with irradiance of 3.0 mW/cm2 . Results: Most of isolates (70%) were completely inhibited with concentrations up to 2.0 µmol/l of HYP and light fluence of 16.2 J/cm2. FLU-resistant strains had synergic effect with P123-HYP-PDI and FLU. The biofilm formation was inhibited in all species, in additional the changes in Candida morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy. Conclusion: P123-Hyp-PDI is a promising option to treat fungal infections and medical devices to prevent biofilm formation and fungal spread.