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Glabridin triggers over-expression of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) gene in Candida albicans
Maryam Moazeni1,2, Mohammad Taghi Hedayati1,2, Mojtaba Nabili3
1Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Background And Purpose:
Candida albicans is a prevalent human fungal pathogen that can cause a wide spectrum of diseases, from superficial mucosal infections to systemic disorders, in patients with impaired immunity. Glabridin is a pyranoisoflavan originally extracted from root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Glabridin can also mediate apoptosis in yeast cells by changing the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-like proteases, and DNA cleavage. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of glabridin in C. albicans.
Materials And Methods:
Candida albicans ATCC14053 was applied as the standard strain. Total RNA was extracted from the isolate under glabridin-treated and untreated conditions. To evaluate the alternations in the apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) gene expression, real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time -PCR) was performed, and the obtained data were analyzed using REST software.
Results:
Expression of the AIF gene was represented as the ratio of expression relative to the reference gene. According to the REST® output, the expression of the AIF gene increased significantly (P<0.05) under the glabridin-treated condition.
Conclusion:
Our results suggested that glabridin may induce apoptosis through the caspase-independent route and might be considered as an anti-Candida agent.
Insights
Glabridin, an extract from licorice root, significantly increases apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) gene expression in Candida albicans. This suggests glabridin may act as an anti-Candida agent via a caspase-independent pathway.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- * *Candida albicans* is a common fungal pathogen causing infections in immunocompromised individuals.
- * Glabridin, derived from *Glycyrrhiza glabra*, exhibits apoptosis-inducing properties in yeast.
- * Glabridin's mechanism in *C. albicans* requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To elucidate the mechanism of action of glabridin against *Candida albicans*.
- * To investigate the effect of glabridin on apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) gene expression.
Main Methods:
- * Standard strain *Candida albicans* ATCC14053 was used.
- * Total RNA was extracted from glabridin-treated and untreated *C. albicans*.
- * Real-time PCR was employed to assess AIF gene expression, with data analyzed by REST software.
Main Results:
- * Glabridin treatment led to a significant increase in AIF gene expression in *C. albicans* (P<0.05).
- * The expression of AIF was quantified relative to a reference gene.
Conclusions:
- * Glabridin may induce apoptosis in *C. albicans* through a caspase-independent pathway.
- * Glabridin shows potential as an anti-Candida therapeutic agent.
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