Activity of Free and Liposome-Encapsulated Essential Oil from Lavandula angustifolia against Persister-Derived Biofilm of Candida auris

Abstract

The high virulence of Candida auris, a pathogen fungus considered as a global threat for public health, is due to its peculiar traits such as its intrinsic resistance to conventional antifungals. Its biofilm lifestyle certainly promotes the prolonged survival of C. auris after disinfection or antifungal treatments. In this work, for the first time, we detected persister cells in a biofilm of C. auris in a microwell plate model, following caspofungin treatment. Furthermore, we showed how persisters can progressively develop a new biofilm in situ, mimicking the re-colonization of a surface which may be responsible for recalcitrant infections. Plant-derived compounds, such as essential oils, may represent a valid alternative to combat fungal infections. Here, Lavandula angustifolia essential oil, as free or encapsulated in liposomes, was used to eradicate primary and persister-derived biofilms of C. auris, confirming the great potential of alternative compounds against emergent fungal pathogens. As in other Candida species, the action of essential oils against C. auris involves ROS production and affects the expression of some biofilm-related genes.

Neuroprotective Effects of gH625-lipoPACAP in an In Vitro Fluid Dynamic Model of Parkinson’s Disease

“…The gH625(Ac-HGLASTLTRWAHYNALIRAF-Cys) and PACAP27 (HSDGIFTDSYSRYRKQMAVKKYLAAVL-CONH2) peptides were synthesized thanks to a standard Fmoc solid-phase (GL Bio chem Ltd., Shanghai, China) [ 55 ] with an amid resin (0.6258 mmol/g of loading substitution) and good yields of about 40%. PACAP27 was also labelled with rhodamine agent (5(6)-Carboxytetramethylrhodamine N-succinimidyl ester) (Iris-Biotech GMBH, Marktredwitz, Germany) for fluorescence measurements [ 56 , 57 ]. A total of 20% v / v piperidine in DMF for 10 min was used to remove Fmoc protecting group and amino acids.…”

“…After evaluating the neuroprotective effects of PACAP on 2D SH-SY5Y/RA, we produced 3D SH-SY5Y/RA cells by hanging drop method (2 × 10 4 cells per aggregate) [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. After 48 h from the aggregate’s formation, they were transferred in an LB1 bioreactor.…”

Peptides to Overcome the Limitations of Current Anticancer and Antimicrobial Nanotherapies

“…NVs can be effectively used for the delivery of antibiotics but also of other molecules, such as enzymes and essential oils [125,126]. In fact, most antibacterial agents have difficulty in penetrating through the EPS matrix produced by the biofilm [127].…”

Competitiveness during Dual-Species Biofilm Formation of Fusarium oxysporum and Candida albicans and a Novel Treatment Strategy

“…Mature biofilms, after 72 h, were treated with 50, 100, and 150 µM of WMR for another 24 h at 37 • C. The residual biomass after the eradication activity of WMR was quantified by crystal violet assay. The percentage of eradication was calculated as biofilm reduction% = (OD 570 control − OD 570 sample/OD 570 control) × 100, where OD 570 control and OD 570 sample corresponded to OD 570 of the untreated and treated biofilm, respectively [25].…”