Monika Janeczko1, Konrad Kubiński1, Aleksandra Martyna1, Angelika Muzyczka1, Anna Boguszewska-Czubara2, Sławomir Czernik3, Małgorzata Tokarska-Rodak4, Marta Chwedczuk3, Oleg M Demchuk5, Hieronim Golczyk1, Maciej Masłyk1. 1. Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, ul. Konstantynów 1i, 20-708 Lublin, Poland. 2. Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodźki 4A, 20-093, Lublin, Poland. 3. Innovation Research Centre, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biala Podlaska, Sidorska 95/97, 21-500 Biala Podlaska, Poland. 4. Institute of Health Sciences, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biala Podlaska, Sidorska 95/97, 21-500 Biala Podlaska, Poland. 5. Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, ul. Gliniana 33, 20-614 Lublin, Poland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: In this study, we applied various assays to find new activities of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives for potential anti-Candida albicans applications. METHODOLOGY: 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. KEY FINDINGS: 1,4-Naphthoquinones significantly affected fungal strains at 8-250 mg l-1 of MIC. Interestingly, at concentrations below MICs, the chemicals showed effectiveness in inhibition of hyphal formation and cell aggregation in Candida. Of note, atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed an influence of the compounds on cell morphological properties. However, at low concentrations (0.8-31.2 mg l-1), it did not exert any evident toxic effects on zebrafish embryos. CONCLUSIONS: Our research has evidenced the effectiveness of 1,4-naphthoquinones as potential anti-Candida agents.
PURPOSE: In this study, we applied various assays to find new activities of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives for potential anti-Candida albicans applications. METHODOLOGY: 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. KEY FINDINGS:1,4-Naphthoquinones significantly affected fungal strains at 8-250 mg l-1 of MIC. Interestingly, at concentrations below MICs, the chemicals showed effectiveness in inhibition of hyphal formation and cell aggregation in Candida. Of note, atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed an influence of the compounds on cell morphological properties. However, at low concentrations (0.8-31.2 mg l-1), it did not exert any evident toxic effects on zebrafish embryos. CONCLUSIONS: Our research has evidenced the effectiveness of 1,4-naphthoquinones as potential anti-Candida agents.
Entities:
Keywords:
Candida albicans; Naphthoquinones; atomic force microscopy; biofilm; hyphae; zebrafish
Authors: Lais Cavalcanti Dos Santos Velasco de Souza; Lucas Martins Alcântara; Pãmella Antunes de Macêdo-Sales; Nathália Faria Reis; Débora Sena de Oliveira; Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado; Reinaldo Barros Geraldo; André Luis Souza Dos Santos; Vítor Francisco Ferreira; Daniel Tadeu Gomes Gonzaga; Fernando de Carvalho da Silva; Helena Carla Castro; Andréa Regina de Souza Baptista Journal: Pharmaceuticals (Basel) Date: 2022-01-01