The Repurposing of Acetylsalicylic Acid as a Photosensitiser to Inactivate the Growth of Cryptococcal Cells

Ogundeji, Adepemi O.; Mjokane, Nozethu; Folorunso, Olufemi Samuel; Pohl, Carolina H.; Nyaga, Martin M.; Sebolai, Olihile M.

doi:10.3390/ph14050404

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Moreover, care should be taken to prevent continuous photoreaction by keeping patients away from sources of UVC, as this radiation is damaging. To remedy this, treatment could be administered in the presence of a molecule that could modify how skin epithelial cells receive UV radiation [33]. Fortunately, UVC radiation from the sun is filtered by the atmosphere and, therefore, does not reach the earth's surface.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Notably, the idea of repurposing PQ is not foreign, as it has successfully been shown to control the growth of Pneumocystis jirovecii [31,32]. It is, therefore, theorized that PDT would be successful when used against aerobic microbes, similarly to Plasmodium and Pneumocystis jirovecii, given their natural susceptibility to oxidative damage [19,33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Repurposing of the Antimalaria Drug, Primaquine, as a Photosensitizer to Inactivate Cryptococcal Cells

et al. 2021

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Cryptococcal cells can manifest skin infections in immunocompromised persons. While it may be easy to diagnose cryptococcal infection, treatment often fails due to the ineffectiveness of current antifungal agents. To this end, the present study explored the repurposing of primaquine (PQ), as a photosensitizer. PDT was carried out using a germicidal ultraviolet (UV) lamp, which has a radiation output of approximately 625 µW/cm2 at a distance of 20 cm. When compared to the non-treated cells, the metabolic activity of cryptococcal cells was significantly (p < 0.05) limited. The photolytic products of PQ were observed to alter the ultrastructure of treated cells. The latter was not incidental, as the same cells were also documented to lose their selective permeability. Importantly, PDT also improved the efficiency of macrophages to kill internalized cryptococcal cells (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to non-treated macrophages. Equally importantly, PDT was not detrimental to macrophages, as their metabolic activity was not significantly (p > 0.05) limited, even when exposed to 20× the MIC (determined for cryptococcal cells) and an exposure time that was 4× longer. Taken together, the results suggest PQ has the potential to control the growth of cryptococcal cells and limit their survival inside the macrophage.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Repurposing of the Antimalaria Drug, Primaquine, as a Photosensitizer to Inactivate Cryptococcal Cells

et al. 2021

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“…With regard to Cryptococcus spp., ASA has been evaluated as an alternative drug to control cell growth. An in vitro study on ten Cryptococcus strains demonstrated that ASA acts in synergy with fluconazole and amphotericin B in enhancing macrophage-mediated phagocytosis, killing cryptococcal cells and inhibiting cellular growth [ 106 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspirin and Infection: A Narrative Review

et al. 2022

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Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. It derives from the extract of white willow bark, whose therapeutic potential was known in Egypt since 1534 BC. ASA’s pharmacological effects are historically considered secondary to its anti-inflammatory, platelet-inhibiting properties; however, human studies demonstrating a pro-inflammatory effect of ASA exist. It is likely that we are aware of only part of ASA’s mechanisms of action; moreover, the clinical effect is largely dependent on dosages. During the past few decades, evidence of the anti-infective properties of ASA has emerged. We performed a review of such research in order to provide a comprehensive overview of ASA and viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, as well as ASA’s antibiofilm properties.

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“…Cryptococcus neoformans is also an opportunistic yeast pathogen causing cryptococcus, especially in the immune-compromised patients; around 73% of 223,100 annual cases of cryptococcal meningitis are diagnosed in sub-Saharan Africa with a 75% mortality rate [ 24 ]. Since photodynamic treatment (PDT) is a method of curing aerobic microbes susceptible to oxidative damage [ 25 ], Ogundeji et al [ 24 ] investigated the photodynamic activity of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; aspirin) against respiring cryptococcal cells. Cryptococcal cells were exposed to 0.5 or 1 mM of ASA with ultraviolet light (UVL) for 10 min, which resulted in a significant reduction in the fungal growth compared to the non-treated control cells.…”

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confidence: 99%