Artemisinin effects on Gastrointestinal tissues in Candida albicans-infected mice: histological and functional...

Candida albicans represents one of the most prevalent species of fungi in the human mycobiome. which colonize the multiple sites of the body, like the oral cavity. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal and tissue-protective effects of artemisinin against Candida albicans in mouse models.

We collected 120 oral swabs from patients and healthy individuals. Chromogenic Candida differential agar was applied to diagnose Candida isolates. The Vitek2 system is used to confirm Candida spp. diagnosis for patient samples. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experimentation were applied to evaluate Artemisinin's effects on Candida albicans and animal tissue.

The results indicate that the number of positive samples for Candida albicans growth among patients was 54 (90%), compared to healthy individuals that was recorded 17 (28.3%). The distribution results of those infected with oral candidiasis according to age groups showed that the age group older than 50 years accounted for 20%. Regarding the effect of Artemisinin on C. albicans, it was shown that after treating C. albicans with Artemisinin (0.2 mg/gram) for 3 h, the number of C. albicans decreased and affected the morphology of hyphae and growth of Candida compared with Fluconazole (0.53 mg/20 g) and the control. The results of the survival rate were lowest in the mice group treated with (Neoral + Fungi + artemisinin + fluconazole). While the survival rate was highest in mice groups treated with (Neoral), (Fungi), (Neoral + Fungi + fluconazole), (Neoral + Fungi + Artemisinin), (Fungi + fluconazole), (Fungi + Artemisinin), (Fungi + fluconazole + Artemisinin), respectively. These groups recorded less mortality. Concerning the histological examination of the tongue in infected mice, it was observed that there was epithelial ulceration with infiltration of inflammatory cells and epithelial sloughing, along with degeneration and necrosis of gastric glandular cells in the stomach. Additionally, the duodenum tissue showed mild inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, with thickening of the villi due to epithelial hyperplasia and infiltration. Meanwhile, mice treated with Artemisinin displayed normal tissue appearance.

Artemisinin demonstrated significant antifungal effectiveness against Candida albicans in both in vitro and in vivo. It diminished fungal load, impeded hyphal development, and preserved gastrointestinal tissue integrity in infected mice.