naphthoquinones and Candidiasis

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Azoles; Biofilms; Candida; Candidiasis; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Naphthoquinones

In this study, we applied various assays to find new activities of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives for potential anti-Candida albicans applications.. These assays determined (a) the antimicrobial effect on growth/cell multiplication in fungal cultures, (b) the effect on formation of hyphae and biofilm, (c) the influence on cell membrane integrity, (d) the effect on cell morphology using atomic force microscopy, and (e) toxicity against zebrafish embryos. We have demonstrated the activity of these compounds against different Candida species and clinical isolates of C. albicans.. 1,4-Naphthoquinones significantly affected fungal strains at 8-250 mg l. Our research has evidenced the effectiveness of 1,4-naphthoquinones as potential anti-Candida agents.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans; Hyphae; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Naphthoquinones; Zebrafish

Plant-derived compounds are a good source of therapeutic agents and inhibitors of inflammatory process. Dental caries, periodontal diseases and candidiasis are common oral infections caused by virulent biofilms. The objectives of this study were to develop oral spray containing plant-derived compounds; α-mangostin (α-MG) and/or lawsone methyl ether (2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) (LME) and determine its antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory activities.. Oral spray formulations were prepared containing α-MG (5 mg/ml) and/or LME (250 μg/ml). Antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis and anti-biofilm formation activities were determined as well as cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effects.. The oral spray demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all three of the oral pathogens tested with stronger effects on C. albicans and S. mutans than P. gingivalis. The formulation containing α-MG (2.5 mg/ml) and LME (125 ug/ml) reduced growth of the microorganisms about 1-2 Log CFU/ml at 1-3 h and the killing effects were complete at 24 h. Based on biofilm assay, the oral spray containing both α-MG and LME showed greater inhibitory effects than those with α-MG or LME. In addition, the oral spray containing both α-MG and LME demonstrated more inhibition of nitric oxide production than α-MG alone. All the formulations were safe and demonstrated greater anti-inflammatory activity at lower concentration (<6.25 μg/ml) than at a higher concentration.. Oral spray containing α-MG and/or LME is effective against common oral pathogens without significant cytotoxicity. Thus, it has the potential to prevent the infections and may serve as adjunctive treatment to conventional therapy.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Survival; Colony Count, Microbial; Dental Caries; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Naphthoquinones; Nitric Oxide; Oral Sprays; Periodontal Diseases; Phytochemicals; Plant Exudates; Porphyromonas gingivalis; RAW 264.7 Cells; Streptococcus mutans; Thailand; Xanthones

Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are opportunistic pathogens. Despite causing a number of independent infections, both pathogens can co-infect to cause urinary tract infections, skin infections, biofilm associated infections, sepsis and pneumonia. Infections of these two pathogens especially their biofilm associated infections are often difficult to treat using currently available anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents. In order to identify a common anti-microbial agent which could confer a broad range of protection against their infections, we screened several phytochemicals and identified plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), a phytochemical from Plumbago species as a potent antimicrobial agent against S. aureus and C. albicans, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 5μg/ml. Antimicrobial activity of plumbagin was validated using an ex-vivo porcine skin model. For better understanding of the antimicrobial activity of plumbagin, a Drosophila melanogaster infection model was used, where D. melanogaster was infected using S. aureus and C. albicans, or with both organisms. The fly's survival rate was dramatically increased when infected flies were treated using plumbagin. Further, plumbagin was effective in preventing and dispersing catheter associated biofilms formed by these pathogens. The overall results of this work provides evidence that plumbagin, possesses an excellent antimicrobial activity which should be explored further for the treatment of S. aureus and C. albicans infections.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Disease Models, Animal; Drosophila melanogaster; Female; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Naphthoquinones; Phytochemicals; Plumbaginaceae; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome

Studies being conducted on opportunistic infections among people with HIV are presented in list form. The list includes new studies, those still in development, and those slated to begin in 1995. Areas of interest include candidiasis, cryptosporidiosis/microsporidiosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), toxoplasmosis, and tuberculosis (TB). Enrollment information can be obtained by calling 1-(800)-TRIALS-A (TDD 1- 800-448-0440).

Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Amphotericin B; Antitubercular Agents; Atovaquone; Candidiasis; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cryptosporidiosis; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Ganciclovir; Humans; Immunotherapy; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection; Naphthoquinones; Paromomycin; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Pyrimethamine; Toxoplasmosis; Tuberculosis

Topics: Animals; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Guinea Pigs; Lactones; Naphthoquinones; Plant Extracts; Tinea; Trichophyton