Saponins of Trifolium spp. Aerial Parts as Modulators of Candida Albicans Virulence Attributes

Abstract

Abstract:The aim was to provide the insight into the biology of C. albicans influenced by undescribed yet properties of saponin-rich (80%-98%) fractions (SAPFs), isolated from extracts of Trifolium alexandrinum, T. incarnatum, T. resupinatum var. resupinatum aerial parts. Their concentrations below 0.5 mg/mL were arbitrarily considered as subMICs for C. albicans ATCC 10231 and were further used. SAPFs affected yeast enzymatic activity, lowered tolerance to the oxidative stress, to the osmotic stress and to the action of the cell wall disrupting agent. In their presence, germ tubes formation was significantly and irreversibly inhibited, as well as Candida invasive capacity. The evaluation of SAPFs interactions with anti-mycotics showed synergistic activity, mainly with azoles. Fluconazole MIC was lowered-susceptible C. albicans ATCC 10231 was more susceptible, and resistant C. glabrata (clinical strain) become more susceptible (eightfold). Moreover, the tested samples showed no hemolytic activity and at the concentrations up to 0.5 mg/mL did not reduce viability of fibroblasts L929. This study provided the original evidence that SAPFs of Trifolium spp. aerial part exhibit significant antimicrobial activity, OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2014, 19 10602 by reduce the expression/quantity of important Candida virulence factors and have good potential for the development of novel antifungal products supporting classic drugs.

Antifungal Activity of Juglans regia (L.) Leaf Extracts Against Candida albicans Isolates

“…resupinatum Gib & Belli significantly reduced the invasive capacity and germ tube formation of C. albicans. Moreover, SAPFs exhibited synergistic interactions with azole antimycotic drugs against the reference yeast strain [42].…”

Trifolium species – the latest findings on chemical profile, ethnomedicinal use and pharmacological properties

“…Antimicrobial action of saponin‐rich (80–98%) fractions, extracted from aerial parts of T. alexandrinum , T. incarnatum , T. resupinatum var. resupinatum against Candida albicans ATCC, was evaluated in vitro . The examined fractions significantly affected enzymatic activity of the yeast and lowered its tolerance to both oxidative and osmotic stress and to the action of the cell wall disrupting agents.…”

“…resupinatum against Candida albicans ATCC, was evaluated in vitro. [98] The examined fractions significantly affected enzymatic activity of the yeast and lowered its tolerance to both oxidative and osmotic stress and to the action of the cell wall disrupting agents. The Trifolium-derived saponins were able to irreversibly inhibit the formation of germ tubes and invasive capacity of C. albicans.…”

Fine-tuning of the hydrophobicity of caffeic acid: studies on the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

“…11,12 The use of phytochemicals as antimicrobial agents is at present considered a strategic approach to overpass the mentioned drawbacks because they not only have multiple and different modes of action from current antibiotics (posing a low risk for the development of resistance), but are also derived from natural sources presenting a green and safe status. 13,14 Bacterial susceptibility to phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds, have been studied by several authors and, in general, they present a promising antimicrobial profile. 8,9,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Polyphenols are the most important and abundant group of phytochemicals and can be found in diverse dietary products like vegetables, fruits, chocolates and beverages (as common non-flavonoid naturally occurring phenolics which contain two distinguishing constitutive carbon frameworks: the hydroxycinnamic (C 6 C 3 ) and hydroxybenzoic (C 6 C 1 ) structure.…”