OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of gallic acid against Candida albicans biofilms in vitro.

METHODXTT reduction assay was performed to determine the effect of gallic acid on C. albicans biofilms and its adherence, and microscopic examination was conducted to assess the effect of gallic acid on morphogenesis of C. albicans biofilms; and cytotoxic assay was used to measure the adverse effects of gallic acid.

RESULTSMIC50, SMIC50 of gallic acid against C. albicans biofilms were 500, 1000 mg x L(-1), respectively; 100 mg x L(-1) and 1000 mg x L(-1) of gallic acid could inhibit the initial adherence and filamentous growth, and the agent showed poor cytotoxic activity.

CONCLUSIONgallic acid displayed potent activity against C. albicans biofilm.

Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gallic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of andrographolide derivative Yanhuning (YHN) on Candida albicans biofilms in rats.

METHODThe rat C. albicans biofilms subcutaneous catheter model was established by intraperitoneally injecting YHN (40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 mg x kg (-1)), with the FLC (80 mg x kg(-1)) positive group as the control group. After 7 d, CFU counting and XTT assay were used to evaluate the effect of YHN on C. albicans biofllms in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the morphological changes in rat biofilms intervened by YHN. The real-time fluorescence quantification PCR was adopted to detect expressions of C. albicans adhesion-related genes, such as ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

RESULTThe YHN group showed much less CFUs on catheter pieces and lower XTT metabolic activity than the blank group, with dosage dependence. SEM also showed that YHN could obviously decrease C. albicans adhesion on subcutaneous catheters in rats. According to qRT-PCR's results, YHN can down-regulate expressions of ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

CONCLUSIONYHN could inhibit C. albicans biofilms in rats.

Animals ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Catheters ; microbiology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo detect the effect of andrographolide on apoptosis of Candida albicans biofilm dispersion cells.

METHODThe morphological changes of apoptotic C. albicans biofilm cells were observed by using Hoechst 33258 staining Fluorescence microscope; changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of C. albicans biofilm cells were detected by rhodamine 123 staining flow cytometry; and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by DHR staining flow cytometry.

RESULT1 000, 100 micromol x L(-1) of andrographolide could cause pyknosis and dense staining of C. albicans biofilm cells, 1 000, 100, 10 micromol x L(-1) of andrographolide could decrease MMP and increase ROS of C. albicans biofilm cells.

CONCLUSIONAndrographolide of appropriate concentrations could induce apoptosis of dispersion cells of C. albicans biofilms.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Biofilms ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; physiology ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the synergy of the Burkholderia signaling molecule cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) and fluconazole (FLU) or itraconazole (ITRA) against two azole-resistant C. albicans clinical isolates in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics against two azole-resistant C. albicans were measured by the checkerboard technique, E-test, and time-kill assay. In vivo antifungal synergy testing was performed on mice. Analysis of the relative gene expression levels of the strains was conducted by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: BDSF showed highly synergistic effects in combination with FLU or ITRA with a fractional inhibitory concentration index of ⪕ 0.08. BDSF was not cytotoxic to normal human foreskin fibroblast cells at concentrations of up to 300 μg/mL. The qRT-PCR results showed that the combination of BDSF and FLU/ITRA significantly inhibits the expression of the efflux pump genes CDR1 and MDR1 via suppression of the transcription factors TAC1 and MRR1, respectively, when compared with FLU or ITRA alone. No dramatic difference in the mRNA expression levels of ERG1, ERG11, and UPC2 was found, which indicates that the drug combinations do not significantly interfere with UPC2-mediated ergosterol levels. In vivo experiments revealed that combination therapy can be an effective therapeutic approach to treat candidiasis. CONCLUSION The synergistic effects of BDSF and azoles may be useful as an alternative approach to control azole-resistant Candida infections.
Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Burkholderia cenocepacia ; chemistry ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; physiology ; Candidiasis ; drug therapy ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; adverse effects ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Triazoles ; metabolism

Candidaemia associated with intravascular catheter-associated infections is of great concern due to the resulting high morbidity and mortality. The antibiotic lock technique (ALT) was previously introduced to treat catheter-associated bacterial infections without removal of catheter. So far, the efficacy of ALT against Candida infections has not been rigorously evaluated. We investigated in vitro activity of ALT against Candida biofilms formed by C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis using five antifungal agents (caspofungin, amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole, and voriconazole). The effectiveness of antifungal treatment was assayed by monitoring viable cell counts after exposure to 1 mg/mL solutions of each antibiotic. Fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole eliminated detectable viability in the biofilms of all Candida species within 7, 10, and 14 days, respectively, while caspofungin and amphotericin B did not completely kill fungi in C. albicans and C. glabrata biofilms within 14 days. For C. tropicalis biofilm, caspofungin lock achieved eradication more rapidly than amphotericin B and three azoles. Our study suggests that azoles may be useful ALT agents in the treatment of catheter-related candidemia.
Amphotericin B/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents/*administration & dosage/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Biofilms/*drug effects ; Candida albicans/*drug effects/physiology ; Candida glabrata/*drug effects/physiology ; Candida tropicalis/*drug effects/physiology ; Candidiasis/drug therapy ; Catheter-Related Infections/drug therapy ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Drug Administration Routes ; Echinocandins/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Fluconazole/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Humans ; Itraconazole/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pyrimidines/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Triazoles/administration & dosage/pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of andrographolide (AG) on quroum sensing (QS) and relevant virulence genes of Candida albicans.

METHODGas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to detect the changes in the content of farnesol and tyrosol in C. albicans intervened by AG. The real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was adopted to inspect the expressions of relevant virulence genes such as CHK1, PBS2 and HOG1 regulated by QS.

RESULTAt 2 h after the growth of C. albican, the farnesol and tyrosol secretions reduced, without notable change after intervention with AG. The secretions were highest at 12 h and decreased at 24 h. After the intervention with different concentrations of AG, the farnesol content reduces, whereas tyrosol increased, indicating a dose-dependence, particularly with 1 000 mg x L(-1) AG. qRT-PCR revealed that 1 000 mg x L(-1) AG could down-regulate CHK1 by 2.375, 3.330 and 4.043 times and PBS2 by 2.010, 4.210 and 4.760 times, with no significant change in HOG1.

CONCLUSIONAG could inhibit the farnesol secretion, promote the tyrosol secretion and down-regulate QS-related virulence genes CHK1 and PBS2 expressions.

Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Farnesol ; analysis ; metabolism ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Genes, Fungal ; Phenylethyl Alcohol ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; metabolism ; Quorum Sensing ; drug effects ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Virulence ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qishen Huoxue Granule (QHG) combined with Fluconazole on the survival rate of mice with systemic C. albaicans (CA) infection.

METHODSDeep CA infection model mice, with normal and low immunity, were established separately by injecting standard strain of CA via caudal vein, and were divided into 4 groups at random, treated by gastrogavage with normal saline (Group A), QHG (Group B) Fluconazole (FCZ, Group C) and QHG + FCZ (Group D) respectively, and a blank group was set up with normal mice for control. The survival time and the total survival rate in 30 days in various groups were recorded.

RESULTSFor mice with normal immunity, the survival rate in Group D and C was 79% and 78% respectively, showing no difference between them (P > 0.05). But for those with low immunity, it was 36% and 7% respectively, and the survival rate significantly higher in Group D than in Group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs compared with those treated with FCZ alone, QHG combined with FCZ can raise the survival rate of the immuno-suppressed mice with systemic CA infection.

Animals ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; physiology ; Candidiasis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; mortality ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Fluconazole ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Random Allocation ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of baicalin against Candida albicans germ tube formation, and adherence to buccal epitherial and vaginal epitherial cells.

METHODVarious concentrations of baicalin (100, 50, 10 mg x L(-1)) were incubated with C. albicans suspension, the mixed suspension of C. albicans and human buccal epitherial cells, the mixed suspension of C. albicans and vaginal epitherial cells, respectively. The effects of baicalin on C. albicans germ tube formation, and adherence to buccal epitherial and vaginal epitherial cells were then assessed microscopically.

RESULTAll concentrations of baicalin could inhibit C. albicans germ tube formation, and adherent to buccal epitherial and vaginal epitherial cells,while there was no significant difference between standard and clinical strains.

CONCLUSIONBaicalin could inhibit C. albicans germ tube formation, and adherence to buccal epitherial and vaginal epitherial cells.

Adult ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Candidiasis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Cheek ; microbiology ; Epithelial Cells ; microbiology ; Female ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; microbiology ; Vagina ; microbiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo isolate and characterize endophytic fungi from seven Dendrobium species, and detect their antimicrobial activities.

METHODFungal endophytes were isolated by strictly sterile sample preparation and fungal identification methods were based on their ITS ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA gene) sequences. The agar well diffusion method was then employed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against six pathogenic organisms and the phylogenetic tree of active isolates was constructed by the MEGA.

RESULTNinety-eight endophytic fungi obtained from seven Dendrobium spp., and among them twenty-four isolates, representing 11 genera and 14 species, displayed anti-microbial activities. The phylogenetic assay based on ITS-rDNA showed that 24 active isolates were sorted to 7 taxonomic orders: Hypocreales, Sordariales, Capnodiales, Eurotiales, Botryosphaeriales, Xylariales and Mucorales. The results of antimicrobial activity assay revealed that 1.02%, 10.2%, 18.4%, 1.02%, 1.02% and 10.2% of fermentation broths of 98 isolates displayed significant antimicrobial activities against E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, C. albicans, C. neoformans and A. fumigatus, respectively. Four strains DL-R-3, DL-S-6, DG-R-10 and DN-S-1 displayed strong and broad antimicrobial spectrum.

CONCLUSIONEndophytic fungi associated with Dendrobium species have fungal diversity, and possess diverse antimicrobial activity.

Anti-Infective Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; drug effects ; Bacillus subtilis ; drug effects ; Base Sequence ; Biodiversity ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; China ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; drug effects ; DNA, Fungal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; microbiology ; physiology ; Endophytes ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; physiology ; Plant Stems ; microbiology ; physiology ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

Along with the increase in fungal infections, Candida albicans prevention and control become the focus of anti-fungal infection at present. This study aims to discuss the effect monomer andrographolide (AG) on C. albicans biofilm dispersion. In the experiment, micro-well plates and medical catheter pieces were used to establish the C. albicans biofilm model. It was discovered by XTT assay and flat band method that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could impact the activity of C. albicans biofilm dispersion cells. The morphological structures of residual biofilms on catheter pieces were observed with scanning electron microscopy, which showed that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion in a dose-dependent manner, and the dispersed cells were dominated by the yeast phase. According to the real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR) test, AG could up-regulate HSP90 expression and down-regulate UME6 and PES1 expressions. This study demonstrates that AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion to some extent.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; genetics ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors