Discovery of a novel and selective fungicide that targets fungal cell wall to treat dermatomycoses: 1,3‐bis(3,4‐dichlorophenoxy)propan‐2‐aminium chloride

Abstract

Summary Background Fungal infections are highly prevalent and are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. In this context, the search for new treatment alternatives is very relevant. Objectives Analyse chemical compounds for antifungal potential against dermatomycosis fungi. Methods The antifungal activity of 121 compounds, intermediates or derivatives of 1,3‐bis(aryloxy)propane substituted at C‐2 (111 compounds) and isothiouronium derivatives (10 compounds) was investigated through susceptibility tests, mechanism of action, toxicity and hydrogel incorporation. Results The compound 1,3‐bis(3,4‐dichlorophenoxy)propan‐2‐aminium chloride (2j) was the most active fungicide against dermatophytes and Candida spp., at very low concentrations (0.39‐3.12 µg/mL), including action on resistant and multidrug‐resistant clinical strains. Compound 2j has presented a promising toxicity profile, showing selectivity index >10, relative to human lymphocytes. The compound was classified as non‐irritant by the HET‐CAM test and did not cause histopathological alterations in pig ear skin, thus presenting an excellent perspective for topical application. 2j targets the fungal cell wall, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, which also indicated the additional ability of 2j to inhibit the Candida albicans pseudohyphae formation and biofilm of Microsporum canis. Compound 2j was incorporated in a hydrogel with bioadhesive potential. The results of the human skin permeation showed that 2j remained significantly in the epidermis, ideally for the dermatomycosis treatment. Conclusions Therefore, the compound 2j demonstrated the potential for antifungal drug development, with a action mechanism elucidated and already applied in a semisolid formulation as a new therapeutic option for fungal skin infections.

Locust bean gum hydrogels are bioadhesive and improve indole-3-carbinol cutaneous permeation: influence of the polysaccharide concentration

“…The developed hydrogels presented pH values in the neutrality range (Table I), ensuring the I3C stability. Similar results have been reported for hydrogels obtained from natural gums or synthetic polymers (Ahmad, et al, 2019;Ferreira et al, 2020;Dalla Lana et al, 2020;Sari et al, 2020).…”

Development of a Clioquinol Nanocarrier as a New, Promising Option for the Treatment of Dermatomycosis

“…However, fungal growth can be achieved even with a defective cell wall if the growth medium is supplemented with an osmotic protectant such as sorbitol [ 68 ]. In this condition, if the antifungal agent acts on fungal cell wall, MIC values will increase [ 4 , 21 , 53 ]. Therefore, a sorbitol protection assay was employed to verify if LBN-CQ could affect the integrity of the fungal cell wall.…”

“…These infections are mainly caused by dermatophytic filamentous fungi and yeast, such as Candida spp. [ 4 , 5 ]. Fungal infections are a major health concern, especially in immunocompromised patients [ 6 , 7 ].…”

The utility of Drosophila melanogaster as a fungal infection model

“…The efficacy and toxicity of antimicrobial compound screens can be measured in similar ways to determine their efficacy and toxicity ( 69 , 70 ). Examples of microscopy techniques include confocal microscopy for visualising phagocytosis in fungi-stimulated plasmatocytes ( 71 ), electron microscopy for imaging effects of treatment on host cell morphology ( 35 ) and fungal burden ( 72 ). Immunofluorescence staining and bioluminescence allow visualisation of individual cell types in tissue, larvae or adult flies, and can be done through RNA in situ hybridization ( 30 , 73 , 74 ), intravital 2-d photon microscopy and reporter systems (GFP, lacZ) ( 62 ).…”