Antifungal and Anti-Biofilm Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Different Candida Species

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of CAPE on planktonic growth, biofilm-forming abilities, mature biofilms, and cell death of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis strains. Our results showed a strain- and dose-dependent effect of CAPE on Candida, and the MIC values were between 12.5 and 100 µg/mL. Similarly, the MBIC values of CAPE ranging between 50 and 100 µg/mL highlighted the inhibition of the biofilm-forming abilities in a dose-dependent manner, as well. However, CAPE showed a weak to moderate biofilm eradication ability (19-49%) on different Candida strains mature biofilms. Both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptosis after CAPE treatment were observed in certain tested Candida strains. Our study has displayed typical apoptotic hallmarks of CAPE-induced chromatin margination, nuclear blebs, nuclear condensation, plasma membrane detachment, enlarged lysosomes, cytoplasm fragmentation, cell wall distortion, whole-cell shrinkage, and necrosis. In conclusion, CAPE has a concentration and strain-dependent inhibitory activity on viability, biofilm formation ability, and cell death response in the different Candida species.

Evaluation of anticandidal activities and phytochemical examination of extracts prepared from Vitex agnus-castus: a possible alternative in treating candidiasis infections

“…The poor inhibitory activity of extracts against some Candida species, including C. albicans might be due to their inability to penetrate the cell membrane; some species of Candida synthesize biofilms [ 45 ]. The complex extracellular matrix of biofilm is mostly impermeable and may limit the penetration of antifungal drugs by binding to the antifungal agent and blocking target sites [ 45 – 48 ]. However, a previous study showed that the rich content of geraniol and linalool in some plants had a significant reduction in the number of viable biofilm cells of C. tropicalis and complete inhibition after 48 h of exposure [ 46 ].…”

“…However, a previous study showed that the rich content of geraniol and linalool in some plants had a significant reduction in the number of viable biofilm cells of C. tropicalis and complete inhibition after 48 h of exposure [ 46 ]. Also, it was reported that V. agnus-castus leaves had high content of caffeic by 0.277% [ 49 ], where the Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester was found to inhibit the growth of different candida strains by affecting the biofilm-forming and maturation abilities, which caused their death [ 48 ]. All these studies robust the anticandidal activity of V. agnus-castus against different drug-resistant strains.…”

Effects of Coleus amboinicus L. Essential Oil and Ethanolic Extracts on Planktonic Cells and Biofilm Formation of Microsporum canis Isolated from Feline Dermatophytosis

“…Mice infected with T. mentagrophytes recovered after treatment with apigenin ointment administered at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg/g on the 12th and 16th days, respectively [ 75 ]. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, a major active component of propolis ( Apis trigona ), has been shown to exert concentration-dependent effects on planktonic cells and biofilm formation of different Candida species [ 76 ] and synergistically enhance the antifungal activity of fluconazole against resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans [ 77 ]. Another study reported that the fungicidal activity of caffeic acid against T. rubrum was observed at 86.59 μM; this activity was mediated via plasma membrane damage and reduced ergosterol production, where caffeic acid reduced isocitrate lyase activity and downregulated critical genes ( ERG1 , ERG6 , and ERG11 ) required for ergosterol synthesis [ 78 ].…”

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Induces Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Production and Inhibits CXCL10 Production in Human Dental Pulp Cells

“…CAPE is widely used as a health food and can be used safely. CAPE has many physiological effects such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antifungal [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. CAPE was reported to have an inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced CXCL10 expression in mouse intestinal epithelial cells [ 18 ].…”