Search published articles
Showing 3 results for Roudbar mohammadi
Volume 4, Issue 2 (Spring 2018)
Abstract
Aims: Candida albicans a polymorphic fungus can grow as yeast, pseudohyphae and true hyphae forms. The hyphal form has a key role in infection process during invasion to mucosal membrane. A cluster of genes contribute in controlling of hyphae formation in C. albicans, include SAP6, HWP1 and RIM101. Farnesol is a quorum sensing molecule which inhibits switching of yeast-to-hyphae form. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of farnesol on yeast-to-hyphae morphogenesis and its related gene expressions in C. albicans.
Materials and Methods: In this laboratory trial study, C .albicans was exposed to various concentration (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150 and 300µM) of farnesol and the rate of yeast cell proliferations and germ tube formation was evaluated by different methods and microscopic examination. Real time-PCR was performed to assess the expression levels of the hyphae-specific genes SAP6, HWP1 and RIM101. The results were analyzed by IBM SPSS 23 software using Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA.
Findings: The yeast growth reduced 5% in 300µM of farnesol approximately (p<0.05). Germ tube formation strongly suppressed. Moreover, Real time-PCR analysis showed that 300µM farnesol decreased HWP1 and SAP6 gene expressions significantly in comparison to control group (p<0.05), whereas, there was no difference in the expression of RIM101 gene.
Conclusion: Farnesol in 300µM concentration can inhibits growth and proliferation of C. albicans yeast cells and also inhibits hyphal formation. Farnesol can affect the expression of virulent genes including pathogenic genes that are associated with hyphae morphogenesis such as SAP6 and HWP1.
Volume 7, Issue 3 (Summer 2021)
Abstract
Backgrounds: Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida species, the discovery of new antifungal agents with minimum side effects is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid against C. albicans as well as their effect on the expression of EFG1 gene.
Materials & Methods: In this laboratory trial study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid against C. albicans was evaluated at various concentrations (400-625 and 1.3-50 μL/mL, respectively). Real time-PCR was performed to assess the expression level of EFG1 gene. Cytotoxicity effect of caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid was evaluated on SW480 cell line using MTT test.
Findings: Antifungal activity findings displayed that MIC90 and MIC50 values of caprylic acid were 500 and 450 μg/mL, respectively, whereas MIC90 and MIC50 values of nano-encapsulated caprylic acid were 6.2 and 3.1 μg/mL, respectively. The expression of EFG1 gene significantly decreased in the groups treated with caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid compared to the control group. According to the cytotoxicity evaluation findings, the viability of cells treated with caprylic acid was significantly higher than that of cells exposed to nano-encapsulated caprylic acid.
Conclusions: According to the obtained results, nano-encapsulated caprylic acid successfully inhibited C. albicans growth at a lower concentration compared to caprylic acid. Overall, it was found that nano-encapsulated caprylic acid is a promising antifungal agent against Candida species; however, further studies are needed to be performed about nano-encapsulation of caprylic acid.
Volume 8, Issue 2 (Spring 2022)
Abstract
Backgrounds: Candida albicans (C. albicans) as a fungal pathogen is part of the normal flora of the human body, which could cause various infections in patients with defective immune systems. Nowadays, there is a need to design and synthesis new drug formulations to overcome drug resistance in this genus. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main ingredient in Nigella sativa, which has considerable antifungal properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of thymoquinone-zein nanoparticles (TQ-ZNPs) on C. albicans.
Materials & Methods: In the current study, TQ was encapsulated in zein (as a biodegradable carrier) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The antifungal activity of TQ-ZNPs against C. albicans (ATCC 10231; standard strain) and their inhibitory effects on biofilm formation were examined using standardized broth microdilution and MTT assays, respectively. The total oxidant status (TOS) of C. albicans was assessed using colorimetric method, and the toxic effect of nanoparticles on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated by MTT assay.
Findings: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TQ-ZNPs was significantly reduced compared to that of free TQ. MIC values of TQ-ZNPs and free TQ were determined to be 7.4 and 50 µg/mL, respectively. Biofilm formation was inhibited, and oxidant production by fungal cells was increased. The findings of this study showed that TQ-ZNPs had no toxic effect on PBMCs.
Conclusion: This study results revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles had a good antifungal activity without any toxicity. The results demonstrated the superior efficiency of TQ-ZNPs over free TQ. Hence, this structure could be used to load hydrophobic drugs. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the beneficial properties of TQ-ZNPs.
