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Published on: December 5, 2020
Bioactive Plant Compounds as Alternatives Against Antifungal Resistance in the Candida Strains
Thainá Dos Santos Dantas1, Janaina Carla Barbosa Machado2, Magda Rhayanny Assunção Ferreira2
1Postgraduate Program in Therapeutic Innovation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil.
Abstract:
The pathogenicity of Candida spp. poses a persistent challenge, particularly in hospital environments where these species proliferate and cause opportunistic infections. Many strains have developed resistance to commonly used antifungal agents, including azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins, complicating treatment, especially in immuno-compromised patients. Understanding the mechanisms underlying antifungal resistance, such as mutations in genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, efflux pump activity, and enzymatic pathways, is crucial for developing targeted interventions. Given the challenges associated with discovering new antifungal agents, medicinal plants have emerged as a promising source of bioactive compounds with anti-Candida activity. Secondary metabolites, including terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins, exhibit various mechanisms of action, such as biofilm inhibition, membrane disruption, and oxidative stress induction. However, challenges such as extract standardization, and the lack of clinical studies continue to limit their therapeutic application. This review underscores the potential of medicinal plants as complementary or alternative strategies to conventional antifungal therapies, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary research to overcome these hurdles and harness the therapeutic potential of natural products.
Insights
Medicinal plants offer promising natural compounds to combat drug-resistant Candida infections. Further research is needed to standardize extracts and conduct clinical studies for therapeutic use.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Pathogenic *Candida* species cause challenging opportunistic infections, especially in hospitals.
- Antifungal resistance to azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins complicates treatment, particularly for immunocompromised patients.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is key for developing new antifungal interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of medicinal plants as a source of anti-*Candida* compounds.
- To explore the mechanisms of action of plant-derived secondary metabolites against *Candida*.
- To identify challenges and future research directions for natural product-based antifungal therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on *Candida* pathogenicity and antifungal resistance.
- Analysis of research on secondary metabolites from medicinal plants with anti-*Candida* activity.
- Examination of mechanisms of action, including biofilm inhibition and membrane disruption.
Main Results:
- Medicinal plant secondary metabolites (terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins) show diverse anti-*Candida* activities.
- These compounds act through mechanisms like biofilm inhibition, membrane disruption, and oxidative stress induction.
- Challenges include extract standardization and a lack of clinical validation.
Conclusions:
- Medicinal plants represent a valuable resource for developing novel anti-*Candida* strategies.
- Overcoming challenges in standardization and clinical research is crucial for therapeutic application.
- Multidisciplinary research is essential to harness the full potential of natural products against fungal infections.
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