Optimum Inhibition of Amphotericin-B-Resistant Candida albicans Strain in Single- and Mixed-Species Biofilms by Candida and Non-Candida Terpenoids

Abstract

Candida albicans is one of the most common human fungal pathogens and represents the most important cause of opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Surgical devices including catheters are easily contaminated with C. albicans via its formation of drug-resistant biofilms. In this study, amphotericin-B-resistant C. albicans strains were isolated from surgical devices at an intensive care center. The objective of this study was to develop optimized effective inhibitory treatment of resistant C. albicans by terpenoids, known to be produced naturally as protective signals. Endogenously produced farnesol by C. albicans yeast and plant terpenoids, carvacrol, and cuminaldehyde were tested separately or in combination on amphotericin-B-resistant C. albicans in either single- or mixed-infections. The results showed that farnesol did not inhibit hyphae formation when associated with bacteria. Carvacrol and cuminaldehyde showed variable inhibitory effects on C. albicans yeast compared to hyphae formation. A combination of farnesol with carvacrol showed synergistic inhibitory activities not only on C. albicans yeast and hyphae, but also on biofilms formed from single- and mixed-species and at reduced doses. The combined terpenoids also showed biofilm-penetration capability. The aforementioned terpenoid combination will not only be useful in the treatment of different resistant Candida forms, but also in the safe prevention of biofilm formation.

Essential Oil-Based Design and Development of Novel Anti-Candida Azoles Formulation

“…A model represents the synthesis of NPs, attachment to Candida cells and delivery of UoST5 is described in Figure 6. Essential oils including cuminaldehyde are known for their promising antimicrobial activities [35], while inducing toxic effects on human cells [11]. Therefore, extraction and purification of essential oil followed by few synthetic steps in order to optimize its selective antimicrobial activities and provide no toxicity will be of great value for both human and market uses.…”

Peer Review #1 of "In vitro anticandidal activity and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) screening of Vitex agnus-castus leaf extracts (v0.1)"

“…Terpenes have been reported to have inhibitory effects against C. albicans and may prevent biofilm formation (Pemmaraju et al, 2013). Terpenoids inhibit C. albicans cell growth by affecting the membrane and preventing adhesins, biofilm formation, and germ tube formation (Touil et al, 2020;Raut et al, 2013;Zore et al, 2011).…”

Erratum: Touil, H.F.Z. et al. Optimum Inhibition of Amphotericin-B-Resistant Candida albicans Strain in Single- and Mixed-Species Biofilms by Candida and Non-Candida Terpenoids. Biomolecules 2020, 10, 342

“…The authors wish to make the following correction to this paper [1]. The last name of Dr. Ghalia Khoder was incorrect in the published paper in Biomolecules [1]. Therefore, this information was changed by the Biomolecules Editorial Office from: Hidaya F.Z.…”

“…Therefore, this information was changed by the Biomolecules Editorial Office from: Hidaya F.Z. Touil 1 We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the readers. The manuscript will be updated, and the original will remain online on the article webpage, with a reference to this Erratum.…”