Deciphering the role of Sodium Lignosulfonate against Candida spp. as persuasive anticandidal agent

In spite of therapeutic development against life threatening fungal pathogens like Candida albicans, the repertoire of effective antifungal drugs is lagging. The emergence and persistence of azole/echinocandin resistance and other cases of multi-drug resistance have led to the failure of the antifungal treatment regime. This troublesome scenario has steered a need for the development of novel leads. Computer aided in-silico drug design using virtual screening, molecular docking, drug likeness, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity analysis for the identification of lead compounds for further in-vitro analysis is a cost effective and time-saving strategy. The present study used these strategies to discover novel lead antifungal from the pool of second largest occurring natural compound lignin. After the virtual screening of lignin derivatives, Sodium lignosulfonate (LIG) was identified as the best lead for further analysis. After this vigorous in-silico analysis, LIG was then tested in-vitro against 5 different Candida species. MIC value of LIG against Candida spp. was found to be 64-128μg/ml. The study is revealing LIG as a potent and persuasive antifungal agent. In the race of Candida therapeutics, the revelation of the antifungal potential of such natural compounds might impact and diversify the discovery and development of novel antifungal agent.