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Back to Nature: Combating Candida albicans Biofilm, Phospholipase and Hemolysin Using Plant Essential Oils
Ahmed M El-Baz1, Rasha A Mosbah2, Reham M Goda1
1Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, International Coastal Road, Gamasa City, Mansoura, 11152 Dakhaliya, Egypt.
Abstract:
Candida albicans is the causative agent of fatal systemic candidiasis. Due to limitations of antifungals, new drugs are needed. The anti-virulence effect of plant essential oils (EOs) was evaluated against clinical C. albicans isolates including cinnamon, clove, jasmine and rosemary oils. Biofilm, phospholipase and hemolysin were assessed phenotypically. EOs were evaluated for their anti-virulence activity using phenotypic methods as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Among the C. albicans isolates, biofilm, phospholipase and hemolysins were detected in 40.4, 86.5 and 78.8% of isolates, respectively. Jasmine oil showed the highest anti-biofilm activity followed by cinnamon, clove and rosemary oils. SEM and AFM analysis showed reduced adherence and roughness in the presence of EOs. For phospholipase, rosemary oil was the most inhibitory, followed by jasmine, cinnamon and clove oils, and for hemolysins, cinnamon had the highest inhibition followed by jasmine, rosemary and clove oils. A molecular docking study revealed major EO constituents as promising inhibitors of the Als3 adhesive protein, with the highest binding for eugenol, followed by 1,8-cineole, 2-phenylthiolane and cinnamaldehyde. In conclusion, EOs have a promising inhibitory impact on Candida biofilm, phospholipase and hemolysin production, hence EOs could be used as potential antifungals that impact virulence factors.
Insights
Plant essential oils (EOs) show anti-virulence effects against Candida albicans, inhibiting biofilm, phospholipase, and hemolysin production. These findings suggest EOs as potential alternatives to traditional antifungals.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Mycology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida albicans causes life-threatening systemic candidiasis.
- Existing antifungal drugs face limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Virulence factors like biofilm, phospholipase, and hemolysin contribute to C. albicans pathogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-virulence potential of plant essential oils (EOs) against clinical isolates of Candida albicans.
- To assess the impact of EOs on key virulence factors: biofilm formation, phospholipase activity, and hemolysin production.
- To investigate the mechanism of action using microscopy and molecular docking.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic assessment of biofilm, phospholipase, and hemolysin production in C. albicans isolates.
- Evaluation of anti-virulence activity of cinnamon, clove, jasmine, and rosemary oils using phenotypic assays.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize effects on fungal morphology and adherence.
- Molecular docking simulations to identify interactions between major EO constituents and the Als3 adhesive protein.
Main Results:
- A significant percentage of C. albicans isolates exhibited biofilm (40.4%), phospholipase (86.5%), and hemolysin (78.8%) production.
- Jasmine oil demonstrated the strongest anti-biofilm activity, followed by cinnamon, clove, and rosemary oils.
- Rosemary oil was most effective against phospholipase, while cinnamon oil showed highest inhibition of hemolysins.
- SEM and AFM revealed reduced fungal adherence and surface roughness upon EO treatment.
- Molecular docking indicated eugenol, 1,8-cineole, 2-phenylthiolane, and cinnamaldehyde as potent inhibitors of Als3.
Conclusions:
- Plant essential oils exhibit significant inhibitory effects on Candida albicans virulence factors, including biofilm, phospholipase, and hemolysin.
- EOs, particularly jasmine and cinnamon oils, show promise in combating C. albicans infections by targeting key virulence mechanisms.
- The findings support the potential use of essential oils as complementary or alternative antifungal agents to mitigate candidiasis.
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