Evaluation of antifungal effects of phenethyl esters of caffeic acid (CaPe) on non-albicans Candida species

• Grant number: 18/21034-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Campos Junqueira
• Grantee: Lucas Alexandre das Chagas Lopes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Candida albicans is the species most related to candidiasis, but in recent years, there has been a large increase in non-albicans species, such as Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis as causing various fungal infections. The high prevalence of these species are related to the increase of resistance to conventional antifungals in the hospital environment. Thus, the development of new antifungal compounds and new therapeutic approaches are of great need for the control of these infections. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has been considered a promising antimicrobial compound because it has antifungal, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory action. Therefore, the present work aims to determine the antifungal effect of CAPE on biofilms formed in vitro by strains of non-albicans species. Initially, 40 clinical strains (resistant or susceptible of fluconazole) of C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis isolated from lesions and saliva of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) will be submitted to the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for CAPE. Next, the antifungal effect of CAPE on biofilms formed in vitro with two strains of each species (one resistant and another sensitive) will be investigated. The biofilm biomass quantification of 48h will be performed using the methodology of dry weight, crystal violet and number of viable cells (CFU/mL). In addition, scanning electron microscopy of formed biofilms will be performed. The results will be submitted to an exploratory analysis for the selection of the appropriate statistical test (P d 0.05).