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In Vivo Effects of Papaya Seed Essential Oil on Systemic Candidiasis Model Mice Induced by Fluconazole-Sensitive and
Yinzheng Ma1, Mingqi Yu1, Jianing Qian1
1School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University (Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences), Haikou, 571199, China.
Abstract:
Systemic candidiasis caused by Candida albicans has become a serious issue due to high morbidity and mortality. It is very important to develop novel and effective antifungal agents due to the increasing resistance to commonly used drugs such as fluconazole (FLC). In our previous research, the essential oil of Carica papaya L. seed (PSEO) was extracted and in vitro studies demonstrated that PSEO exhibited strong antifungal activity against C. albicans. It is crucial to investigate the therapeutic effect of PSEO in vivo to develop it into a viable antifungal agent. This study aimed to investigate acute toxicity of PSEO and its in vivo effects on a systemic candidiasis model in mice induced with both FLC-sensitive and -resistant C. albicans. The results showed that PSEO showed no acute toxicity up to 100 mg/kg. PSEO and FLC can improve the water intake, food intake, and mental state of systemic candidiasis model mice. The body weight of the infected mice recovered, the survival rate and splenic index increased, the fungal burden decreased, and pathological damage was alleviated to varying degrees. Moreover, the higher the dose of PSEO, the more pronounced the effect. PSEO exhibited significantly better efficacy than FLC against FLC-resistant C. albicans-induced systemic candidiasis. These findings indicate that PSEO holds great promise as a natural, novel, and effective agent for clinical treatment of C. albicans infections, especially for drug-resistant C. albicans infections. This study provides a theoretical basis for the rational development and utilization of papaya seeds.
Insights
Papaya seed essential oil (PSEO) shows no acute toxicity and effectively treats systemic candidiasis in mice. PSEO demonstrates significant promise as a natural antifungal agent, particularly against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Systemic candidiasis, caused by Candida albicans, presents significant morbidity and mortality.
- Increasing antifungal drug resistance necessitates the development of novel therapeutic agents.
- Previous in vitro studies indicated strong antifungal activity of Carica papaya L. seed essential oil (PSEO) against C. albicans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute toxicity of PSEO.
- To evaluate the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of PSEO in a murine model of systemic candidiasis.
- To compare the efficacy of PSEO with fluconazole (FLC) against both FLC-sensitive and FLC-resistant C. albicans strains.
Main Methods:
- Acute toxicity testing of PSEO in mice.
- Induction of systemic candidiasis in mice using FLC-sensitive and FLC-resistant C. albicans strains.
- Administration of PSEO and FLC to infected mice, with subsequent assessment of clinical signs, body weight, survival rate, splenic index, fungal burden, and pathological damage.
Main Results:
- PSEO exhibited no acute toxicity up to 100 mg/kg.
- Both PSEO and FLC improved clinical signs, body weight, survival rates, and splenic index in infected mice.
- PSEO treatment led to decreased fungal burden and alleviated pathological damage, with dose-dependent effects.
- PSEO demonstrated superior efficacy compared to FLC against FLC-resistant C. albicans-induced systemic candidiasis.
Conclusions:
- PSEO is a safe and effective natural agent for treating systemic candidiasis in vivo.
- PSEO shows significant potential for clinical application, especially against drug-resistant C. albicans infections.
- This study provides a foundation for the development and utilization of papaya seed extracts as antifungal therapies.
