Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological Changes
<i>Candida</i> species, opportunistic pathogens that cause various infections, pose a significant threat due to their ability to form biofilms that resist antifungal treatments and immune responses. The increasing resistance of <i>Candida</i> spp. and the limited availability...
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2024-10-01
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| author | Merve Aydin Nurhan Unusan Esra Sumlu Emine Nedime Korucu |
| author_facet | Merve Aydin Nurhan Unusan Esra Sumlu Emine Nedime Korucu |
| author_sort | Merve Aydin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Candida</i> species, opportunistic pathogens that cause various infections, pose a significant threat due to their ability to form biofilms that resist antifungal treatments and immune responses. The increasing resistance of <i>Candida</i> spp. and the limited availability of effective treatments have prompted the research of natural compounds as alternative therapies. This study assessed the antifungal properties of RA against <i>Candida</i> species, focusing on its impact on <i>C. albican</i>s biofilms and the underlying mechanisms. The antifungal efficacy of RA was evaluated using the CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method on both fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant strains. Biofilm formation by <i>C. albicans</i> was assessed through a crystal violet assay, while its antibiofilm activity was analyzed using an MTT assay and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Gene expression related to biofilm formation was studied using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and statistical analysis was performed with an ANOVA. Among the 28 <i>Candida</i> strains tested, RA exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 160 to 1280 μg/mL. At a 640 μg/mL concentration, it significantly reduced the expression of genes associated with adhesion (<i>ALS3</i>, <i>HWP1</i>, and <i>ECE1</i>), hyphal development (<i>UME6</i> and <i>HGC1</i>), and hyphal cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulators (<i>CYR1</i>, <i>RAS1</i>, and <i>EFG1</i>) in RAS1-cAMP-EFG1 pathway (<i>p</i> < 0.05). FESEM analysis revealed a reduction in hyphal networks and disruptions on the cell surface. Our study is the first to demonstrate the effects of RA on <i>C. albicans</i> adhesion, hyphae development, and biofilm formation through gene expression analysis with findings supported by FESEM. This approach distinguishes our study from previous studies on the effect of RA on <i>Candida</i>. However, the high MIC values of RA limit its antifungal potential. Therefore, more extensive research using innovative methods is required to increase the antifungal effect of RA. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
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| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj-art-cfc0e4c6ae5e42edac7c33a8f9c580c02024-11-26T18:08:44ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2024-10-01101175110.3390/jof10110751Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological ChangesMerve Aydin0Nurhan Unusan1Esra Sumlu2Emine Nedime Korucu3Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, KTO Karatay University, Konya 42020, TurkeyDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, KTO Karatay University, Konya 42020, TurkeyDepartment of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, KTO Karatay University, Konya 42020, TurkeyDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya 42090, Turkey<i>Candida</i> species, opportunistic pathogens that cause various infections, pose a significant threat due to their ability to form biofilms that resist antifungal treatments and immune responses. The increasing resistance of <i>Candida</i> spp. and the limited availability of effective treatments have prompted the research of natural compounds as alternative therapies. This study assessed the antifungal properties of RA against <i>Candida</i> species, focusing on its impact on <i>C. albican</i>s biofilms and the underlying mechanisms. The antifungal efficacy of RA was evaluated using the CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method on both fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant strains. Biofilm formation by <i>C. albicans</i> was assessed through a crystal violet assay, while its antibiofilm activity was analyzed using an MTT assay and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Gene expression related to biofilm formation was studied using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and statistical analysis was performed with an ANOVA. Among the 28 <i>Candida</i> strains tested, RA exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 160 to 1280 μg/mL. At a 640 μg/mL concentration, it significantly reduced the expression of genes associated with adhesion (<i>ALS3</i>, <i>HWP1</i>, and <i>ECE1</i>), hyphal development (<i>UME6</i> and <i>HGC1</i>), and hyphal cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulators (<i>CYR1</i>, <i>RAS1</i>, and <i>EFG1</i>) in RAS1-cAMP-EFG1 pathway (<i>p</i> < 0.05). FESEM analysis revealed a reduction in hyphal networks and disruptions on the cell surface. Our study is the first to demonstrate the effects of RA on <i>C. albicans</i> adhesion, hyphae development, and biofilm formation through gene expression analysis with findings supported by FESEM. This approach distinguishes our study from previous studies on the effect of RA on <i>Candida</i>. However, the high MIC values of RA limit its antifungal potential. Therefore, more extensive research using innovative methods is required to increase the antifungal effect of RA.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/11/751rosmarinic acid<i>Candida albicans</i>antifungal activitybiofilm-related genesFESEM |
| spellingShingle | Merve Aydin Nurhan Unusan Esra Sumlu Emine Nedime Korucu Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological Changes Journal of Fungi rosmarinic acid <i>Candida albicans</i> antifungal activity biofilm-related genes FESEM |
| title | Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological Changes |
| title_full | Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological Changes |
| title_fullStr | Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological Changes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological Changes |
| title_short | Rosmarinic Acid Exhibits Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities Against <i>Candida albicans</i>: Insights into Gene Expression and Morphological Changes |
| title_sort | rosmarinic acid exhibits antifungal and antibiofilm activities against i candida albicans i insights into gene expression and morphological changes |
| topic | rosmarinic acid <i>Candida albicans</i> antifungal activity biofilm-related genes FESEM |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/11/751 |
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