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 study the antibacterial effect against Candida albicans of the A-2186 silicone elastomer containing nano-TiO2 in vitro.

METHODSAntibacterial agent of nano-TiO2 was added into A-2186 silicone elastomer with incorporating percentages of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% (W/W). There was no nano-TiO2 in the control group. The antibacterial effect of the A-2186 silicone elastomer was determined using the film contact method with lighting and without lighting.

RESULTSEither with lighting or without lighting, there were significances between the experiment groups and the control group (P < 0.05). When the incorporating percent was 2.0%, the inhibitory effect was the best among the experiment groups. Without lighting, the inhibitory rate was 53.7% and with lighting, the inhibitory rate was 85.9%.

CONCLUSIONSThe A-2186 silicone elastomer containing nano-TiO2 has antibacterial properties against Candida albicans, which enhances with increases of nano-TiO2 percent in the material. With the same incorporating percentage, the antibacterial effect with lighting is better than that without lighting.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Nanostructures ; Silicone Elastomers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Titanium ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antimicrobial activities of silver inorganic materials, including silver zeolite (AgZ), silver zirconium phosphate silicate (AgZrPSi) and silver zirconium phosphate (AgZrP), against oral microorganisms. In line with this objective, the morphology and structure of each type of silver based powders were also investigated.

METHODSThe antimicrobial activities of AgZ, AgZrPSi and AgZrP were tested against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus using disk diffusion assay as a screening test. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) were determined using the modified membrane method. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the morphology and structure of these silver materials.

RESULTSAll forms of silver inorganic materials could inhibit the growth of all test microorganisms. The MIC of AgZ, AgZrPSi and AgZrP was 10.0 g/L whereas MLC ranged between 10.0-60.0 g/L. In terms of morphology and structure, AgZrPSi and AgZrP had smaller sized particles (1.5-3.0 µm) and more uniformly shaped than AgZ.

CONCLUSIONSSilver inorganic materials in the form of AgZ, AgZrPSi and AgZrP had antimicrobial effects against all test oral microorganisms and those activities may be influenced by the crystal structure of carriers. These results suggest that these silver materials may be useful metals applied to oral hygiene products to provide antimicrobial activity against oral infection.

Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Powders ; pharmacology ; Silver Compounds ; 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

To investigate the effects of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction(BAEB) on neutrophil chemotaxis in vaginal mucosa of mice with vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC). Seventy-two SPF female Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, fluconazole group, BAEB low-dose group, middle-dose group and high-dose group. Subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate was conducted to induce pseudo-estrus, and then 2×10~6 CFU·mL~(-1)of Candida albicans was inoculated into vaginal lumen, followed by drug treatment for 7 days. Gram staining was used to observe the morphological changes of C. albicans in vagina; vaginal fungal load was detected on agar plate. Histological changes of vaginal tissues in mice were observed by HE staining. Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) levels in mouse lavage fluid were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Neutrophils in vaginal lavage fluid was observed and counted by using Pap smear. The levels of IL-8 and MIP-2 in vaginal mucosa were detected by ELISA. IL-8 and MIP-2 mRNA levels in vaginal mucosa of mice were detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that as compared with the normal group, VVC model group had a large number of hyphae and a high level of fungal loadinvagina. The vaginal mucosa was completely destroyed, the number of neutrophils increased, and the protein and mRNA levels of IL-8 and MIP-2 were up-regulated. After BAEB treatment, the hyphae of the treatment group was decreased, the fungal load was decreased, the impaired mucosa showed different degrees of improvement, the inflammatory factors were decreased to varying degrees, and the protein and mRNA levels of chemokine IL-8 and MIP-2 were down-regulated. In conclusion, BAEB may be used to treat VVC by inhibiting vulvovaginal candidiasis via blocking neutrophils recruitment into vagina.
1-Butanol ; Animals ; Candida albicans ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy* ; Chemotaxis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Female ; Mice ; Mucous Membrane/drug effects* ; Neutrophils/drug effects* ; Vagina/diagnostic imaging*

BACKGROUNDCandida albicans (C. albicans) can become a pathogen causing superficial as well as life-threatening systemic infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Many phenotypic attributes contribute to its capacity to colonize human organs. In our study, 93 C. albicans isolates from patients of various candidiasis in a hospital of China were surveyed. We aimed to investigate the white-opaque (WO) switching competence, drug sensitivity, and virulence of mating type-like (MTL) a/α isolates.

METHODSInternal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene and the MTL configuration were detected in all the isolates by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. White/opaque phenotype and doubling time of cell growth were determined. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungal agent were measured using broth microdilution method.

RESULTSSixty-four isolates (69.6%) were classified to serotype A, 19 (20.6%) to serotype B, and 9 (9.8%) to serotype C. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis showed that these isolates were divided into four different subgroups of ITS genotypes. Most of our clinical isolates were MTL a/α type, while 6.8% remained MTL a or MTLα type. The frequency of opaque phenotype was 71.0% (66 isolates). Following the guidelines of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A3, all isolates were susceptible to caspofungin and a few (0.6-3.2%) of them showed resistance against amphotericin B, flucytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole.

CONCLUSIONSFrom these analyses, there were comparatively more C. albicans strains classified into serotype B, and the frequency of opaque phase strains was significant in the clinical isolates from China. Genetic, phenotypic, or drug susceptibility patterns were not significantly different from previous studies. MTL a/α isolates could also undergo WO switching which facilitates their survival.

Amphotericin B ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; classification ; drug effects ; genetics ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo determine the major changes in the microstructure of Candida albicans (C. albicans) after treatment with Euphorbia hirta (E. hirta) L. leaf extract.

METHODSTransmission electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructural changes caused by E. hirta extract on C. albicans cells at various exposure time.

RESULTSIt was found that the main abnormalities were the alterations in morphology, lysis and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 h of exposure to the extract. Whereas the control cultures showed a typical morphology of Candida with a uniform central density, typically structured nucleus, and a cytoplasm with several elements of endomembrane system and enveloped by a regular, intact cell wall.

CONCLUSIONSThe significant antifungal activity shown by this methanol extract of E. hirta L. suggests its potential against infections caused by C. albicans. The extract may be developed as an anticandidal agent.

Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

AIMA series of triazole antifungals were synthesized to search for novel triazole antifungals with more potent activity, less toxicity and broader spectrum.

METHODSNineteen 1-(1,2,4-triazolyl-1H-1-yl)-2-(2,4-diflurophenyl)-3-(4-substituted benzyl-1-piperazinyl)-2-propanols were designed and synthesized, on basis of the three dimensional structure of P450 cytochrome 14 alpha-sterol demethylase (CYP51) and their antifungal activities were also evaluated.

RESULTSAll the title compounds were first reported. Results of preliminary biological tests showed that most of the title compounds exhibited high activity against the eight common pathogenic fungi and the activities against deep fungi were higher than that against shallow fungi.

CONCLUSIONMost of the title compounds showed higher antifungal activities than Fluconazole and Terbinafine. Compound VIII-1, 10, 12, 17 showed best antifungal activity with broad antifungal spectrum and were chosen for further development.

Antifungal Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Structure ; Triazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo prepare a nano-TiO₂ film and characterize its antibacterial properties for dental application.

METHODSThe TiO(2-x)N(x) antibacterial film was prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the film were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and EDS, and the antibacterial properties of the film against common dental pathogenic bacteria were evaluated.

RESULTSThe TiO(2-x)N(x) antibacterial film presented with an anatase phase with a mass ratio of nitrogen of 0.13% and compact and smooth surface. Antibacterial assay of the film showed a resistance rate of 97.79% against Streptococcus mutans, 49.42% against Actinomyces viscosus, and 96.84% against Candida albicans.

CONCLUSIONThe nano-TiO(2-x)N(x) film shows strong antibacterial effects against common dental pathogenic bacteria and can be used as a novel antibacterial dental material.

Actinomyces viscosus ; drug effects ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Dental Materials ; pharmacology ; Nanostructures ; Streptococcus mutans ; drug effects ; Titanium ; pharmacology

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