Zerumbone enhances the photodynamic effect against biofilms of fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans clinical isolates

Author(s)

Abreu-Pereira, Cesar Augusto ; Gorayb-Pereira, Ana Luiza ; Jorda, Claudia Carolina ; Paro, Clara Brait ; Barbugli, Paula Aboud ; Pavarina, Ana Claudia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Dentistry; v. 155, p. 10-pg., 2025-04-01.

Abstract

The aim was the evaluation of Zerumbone (ZER) associated with Photodithazine (R) (PDZ) mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on fluconazole-resistant (CaR) and-susceptible (CaS) Candida albicans biofilms, and well as two fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates (R70 and R14). Biofilms (48 h) were treated with ZER (256 mu g/mL) for 20 min, followed by the absence or presence of the photosensitizer (PDZ; 200 mg/L) and Light Emitting Diode (LED; 600 nm; 50 Jcm2), either alone or in combination, resulting in 8 treatment groups (Control; ZER; aPDT; PDZ; LED; ZER+aPDT; ZER+PDZ; ZER+LED; n = 12). The treatments were evaluated by colony- forming unit (CFU), total and insoluble biomass, extracellular matrix components (ECM) quantification [extra- cellular DNA (eDNA), proteins, alkali (ASP) and water-soluble polysaccharides (WSP)], and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Data were subjected to three-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-test (alpha 5 %). The combination of ZER and aPDT promoted a greater reduction of biofilms' components for all the strains evaluated (CaS, CaR, R14, R70). On average, ZER+aPDT group showed a 2.01 log10 (30 %) reduction in CFU counts, total biomass (30 %), insoluble biomass (33 %), and total protein (15 %). Additionally, there was a reduction in ECM components of the biofilms, such as insoluble proteins (24 %), WSP (68 %), ASP (26 %) and eDNA (60 %) compared to the control group. Images obtained through CLSM showed that the association of ZER+aPDT resulted in a higher content of dead cells. Treatment with ZER+aPDT enhanced the efficacy of photodynamic treatment on fluconazole-resistant C. albicans (including clinical isolates), representing an encouraging anti- fungal approach. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/00741-5 - Zerumbone use to enhance the photodynamic inactivation of CANDIDA ALBICANS biofilm: assessment in clinically fluconazole-resistant isolates and in a murine model of oral candidiasis
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Pavarina
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC