Antifungal activity of lectins against yeast of vaginal secretion

Abstract

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins of non-imune origin. This group of proteins is distributed widely in nature and they have been found in viruses, microorganisms, plants and animals. Lectins of plants have been isolated and characterized according to their chemical, physical-chemical, structural and biological properties. Among their biological activities, we can stress its fungicidal action. It has been previously described the effect of the lectins Dviol, DRL, ConBr and LSL obtained from the seeds of leguminous plants on the growth of yeasts isolated from vaginal secretions. In the present work the experiments were carried out in microtiter plates and the results interpreted by both methods: visual observations and a microplate reader at 530nm. The lectin concentrations varied from 0.5 to 256μg/mL, and the inoculum was established between 65-70% of trammitance. All yeast samples isolated from vaginal secretion were evaluated taxonomically, where were observed macroscopic and microscopic characteristics to each species. The LSL lectin did not demonstrate any antifungal activity to any isolate studied. The other lectins DRL, ConBr and DvioL, showed antifungal potential against yeast isolated from vaginal secretion. These findings offering offer a promising field of investigation to develop new therapeutic strategies against vaginal yeast infections, collaborating to improve women's health.

ConA-Like Lectins: High Similarity Proteins as Models to Study Structure/Biological Activities Relationships

“…Gomes et al (2012) [65] reported on the antifungal effect of DRL, ConBr and DVL on yeasts isolated from vaginal secretions. DRL demonstrated antifungal effect against Candida guilliermondii , C. shehatae , C. membranaefaciens and Kloeckera apiculata with mean concentration until 128 μg/mL.…”

Novel Antifungal Activity of Q-Griffithsin, a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Lectin

“…These lectins inhibited fungal spore germination and mycelium growth. They also altered the synthesis of chitin, interfering with cell wall deposition and formation ( 56 ). Lectins DvioL, DRL, and ConBr are extracts from Dioclea violacea , Dioclea rostrata , and Canavalia brasiliensis legumes, respectively.…”

Antiproliferative and Antimicrobial Potentials of a Lectin from Aplysia kurodai (Sea Hare) Eggs

“…AKL also repressed the mycelial growth of Curvularia lunata at 100 µg/mL whereas growth inhibitory effects of two other lectins from Japanese black sponge ( Halichondria okadai ) and mussel ( Crenomytilus grayanus ) were found against Aspergillus niger and Pichia pastoris , respectively [ 5 , 45 , 51 ]. It can be postulated that certain polysaccharides present in fungal cell walls interacted with these lectins and inhibited their growth by disturbing spore germination, growth of mycelium, and synthesis of chitin, to alter the fungal cell wall [ 52 ]. Like eggs from other organisms, sea hare eggs are found lying exposed in the seashore, vulnerable to the attack of predators and microbes [ 53 ].…”