Candida albicans Biofilm Inhibition by Ethnobotanicals and Ethnobotanically-Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

The virulence and drug resistance of globally prevalent Candida albicans has presented complications toward its control while advances in effective antivirulence drugs remain critical. Emerging methods are now being evaluated to facilitate development of novel therapeutic approaches against this pathogen. This study focuses on the biofilm formation inhibition of ethnobotanical crude extracts and the use of nanotechnology through the ethnobotanically-synthesized gold nanoparticles to control C. albicans. Control on biofilm formation was compared using crude extracts (CEs) and biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles (CEs + AuNPs). Significantly lower biofilm formation was exhibited in thirteen (13) CEs and fourteen (14) CEs + AuNPs. Biofilm-linked genes Bcr1 and HSP90 expression were consequently downregulated. Higher biofilm inhibition activity was noted in some CEs + AuNPs compared to its counterpart CEs. This study emphasizes the biofilm inhibition activity of ethnobotanicals and the use of nanoparticles to enhance delivery of compounds, and points to its prospects for developing anti-pathogenic drugs without evolving resistance.

Quorum sensing inhibition activities of Philippine ethnobotanicals against multidrug-resistant pathogens

“…A number of Philippine ethnobotanicals showed antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa [ U. lobata leaf showed significantly lower OD values ranging from 0.062 to 0.083 mg/mL compared to the negative control (no extract) with a higher value of 0.19 mg/mL [56] showing inhibition of biofilm formation and were confirmed through gene expression analyses (see discussion on inhibition of quorumsensing-linked genes using Philippine ethnobotanicals -Section 4.0).…”

“…The Ikalahan ethnobotanicals were also tested against the QS reporter bacteria Chromobacterium violaceum [54,55]. Inhibition of biofilm formation by the Ilongot-Eǵongot ethnobotanicals against Candida albicans has been explored [56]. The test bacteria in the papers included in this review are drug-resistant bacteria that are responsible for a large number of infections in humans and constitute a serious threat to public health.…”

Metal Nanoparticles to Combat Candida albicans Infections: An Update

“…In a thorough study, Cruz et al [ 18 ] evaluated the ability of fifteen ethnobotanical crude extracts from the leaves, roots and/or bark of Hydrocotyle vulgaris , Eluesine indica , Mikania micrantha , Dillenia philippinensis , Ceiba pentandra , Cymbopogon winterianus , Senna alata , Urena lobata , Premna odorata , Stachytarpeta jamaicensis , Diplazium esculentum , and Phyllanthus urinaria as well as their gold nanoparticles (CE-AuNPs) on biofilms and quorum sensing-related gene expression. The CE-AuNPs exhibited a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the crude extract used.…”

“…C. albicans biofilms are complex structures that protect cells from the surrounding environment, providing a high level of resistance to conventional antifungal agents and host immune system components. These biofilms contribute to recurrent candidiasis and represents a challenge for antifungal therapy [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Antifungal and antibiofilm effects of probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius, zinc nanoparticles, and zinc nanocomposites against Candida albicans from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), water and humans

“…These Candida biofilms exhibit resistance levels 30 to 2000 times higher than those of planktonic cells to various antifungal agents, such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin ( Seneviratne et al., 2008 ), as well as reduced susceptibility to host immune reactions ( da Costa et al., 2009 ; Berman and Krysan, 2020 ). The widespread and prolonged use of conventional antimicrobial agents has led to the emergence of fungal drug fights ( Abdel-Shafi et al., 2020 ; Enan et al., 2020 ; Judan Cruz et al., 2021 ). Researchers are now exploring innovative strategies to combat multidrug-resistant microbial strains, including the use of nanomaterials ( El-Gazzar and Ismail, 2020 ; Ismail et al., 2020a ; Sitohy et al., 2021 ) and probiotics ( Osman and El-Gazzar, 2021 ), as the development of new antibiotics is challenging.…”