In vitro and in vivo activity of chelerythrine against Candida albicans and underlying mechanisms

Future Microbiol. 2019 Dec:14:1545-1557. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0178. Epub 2020 Jan 29.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate whether chelerythrine (CHT) exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Materials & methods: Broth microdilution assay and Galleria mellonella model were used to evaluate the antifungal effect in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Mechanism studies were investigated by morphogenesis observation, Fluo-3/AM, DCFH-DA and rhodamine6G assay, respectively. Results: CHT exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans and preformed biofilms with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 2 to 16 μg/ml. Besides, CHT protected G. mellonella larvae infected by C. albicans. Mechanisms studies revealed that CHT inhibited hyphal growth, increased intracellular calcium concentration, induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited drug transporter activity. Conclusion: CHT exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Galleria mellonella model; antifungal activity; chelerythrine; potential mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzophenanthridines / administration & dosage*
  • Benzophenanthridines / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / prevention & control
  • Drug Discovery
  • Hyphae / drug effects
  • Hyphae / growth & development
  • Larva / microbiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Moths / microbiology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Benzophenanthridines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • chelerythrine