Quercetin and rutin as potential agents antifungal against Cryptococcus spp

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Amphotericin B is a key antifungal drug for systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Severe side effects often limit Amphotericin B's clinical use.
• Developing strategies to mitigate Amphotericin B toxicity is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the combined antifungal effects of Amphotericin B with quercetin or rutin.
• To assess the potential of quercetin and rutin to protect against Amphotericin B's cytotoxic effects.
• To determine if combinations can reduce Amphotericin B dosage and improve efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Antifungal activity assays were performed on Candida sp. and Cryptococcus neoformans strains.
• Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined for Amphotericin B alone and in combination with quercetin or rutin.
• Cytotoxicity was evaluated using an erythrocyte spectrophotometric hemoglobin absorbance assay.

Main Results:

• Amphotericin B's MIC was reduced when combined with quercetin or rutin against a Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC strain.
• Combination with rutin also reduced Amphotericin B's MIC for a clinical Cryptococcus neoformans isolate.
• Quercetin combined with Amphotericin B showed potential in reducing toxicity to red blood cells.

Conclusions:

• Quercetin and rutin demonstrate potential as adjuncts to Amphotericin B therapy.
• These compounds may allow for reduced Amphotericin B dosage, thereby mitigating side effects.
• The combination approach holds promise for improving the safety and efficacy of antifungal treatments.