The effect of benzyl isothiocyanate on Candida albicans growth, cell size, morphogenesis, and ultrastructure
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(2020) 36:153
ORIGINAL PAPER
The effect of benzyl isothiocyanate on Candida albicans growth, cell size, morphogenesis, and ultrastructure Cheila Pereira1 · Ana Margarida Calado2 · Ana Cristina Sampaio1,3 Received: 9 June 2020 / Accepted: 9 September 2020 © Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that may become pathogenic and even lethal to the host. Over the last few decades, antifungal resistance has increased, promoting screening of the antifungal potential of old and new substances. This study investigates the antifungal potential of isothiocyanates (ITCs) against C. albicans oral isolates. A preliminary susceptibility disk diffusion test (DD) was performed using allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), benzyl isothiocynanate (BITC) and phenyl ethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) at a fixed concentration range (0.001–0.1 M). Because C. albicans isolates were more susceptible to BITC and PEITC, their effect on cell size and on germ tube formation (GTF) were tested. The most promising molecule, BITC, was further tested for effects on cell viability, oxidative stress and for ultrastructure. ITCs, especially the aromatic ones, had a significant type-, dose- and isolate-dependent anti-Candida activity. Although BITC and PEITC had similar activity against the yeast cells, BITC had a more pronounced effect on cell size and GTF. Furthermore, BITC appears to induce oxidative stress and promote changes in the cell ultrastructure, interfering with cell wall structure. Our work showed that aromatic ITCs have the potential to effect C. albicans cells in multiple ways, including size, shape and GTF (BITC and PEITC), oxidative stress, and ultrastructure (BITC). Overall, our results suggest that BITC may be effectively used against C. albicans to modulate its growth, and control or suppress its invasive potential. Keywords Anti-Candida · Cell size · Germ tube formation · Cell ultrastructure · Oxidative stress
Introduction Candida albicans is a commensal microorganism of epithelial tissues, and it is the most common Candida species in nosocomial fungal infections (Taweechaisupapong et al. 2012). It is also the most prevalent (more than 90%) pathogenic fungus in humans (Kauffman 2006). This prevalence has increased dramatically recently and so has its impact on a growing immunocompromised population, such as transplant recipients, diabetics, cancer and AIDS * Ana Cristina Sampaio [email protected] 1
Department of Biology and Environment, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000‑801 Vila Real, Portugal
2
Department of Veterinary Sciences, UTAD, Quinta de Prados 5000‑801 Vila Real, Portugal
3
Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), UTAD, Quinta de Prados 5000‑801 Vila Real, Portugal
patients and critically ill patients in high-dependency or in intensive-care units (Rogers 2002). Under certain conditions it can cause systemic infections that may be life threatening (Barnett 2008). The use of antifungals, especiall
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