Efficacy of bakuchiol-garlic combination against virulent genes of C andida albicans

Ayesha Fahim; Wan Harun Himratul-Aznita; Puteri Shafinaz Abdul-Rahman; Mohammad K Alam

doi:10.7717/peerj.12251

Efficacy of bakuchiol-garlic combination against virulent genes of C andida albicans

PeerJ. 2022 Jan 3:9:e12251. doi: 10.7717/peerj.12251. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Ayesha Fahim^{1

2}, Wan Harun Himratul-Aznita¹, Puteri Shafinaz Abdul-Rahman^{3

4}, Mohammad K Alam⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
² Department of Oral Biology, University College of Dentistry, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
³ Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁴ University of Malaya Centre for Proteomics Research, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁵ Orthodontic Division, Preventive Dentistry Department, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Jouf, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Polymicrobial biofilms are notorious for causing intraoral tissue destruction. Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mitis, commensals of oral cavities, have been found co-existing with C. albicans in resistant oral infections. There is an urgent need to find alternative treatment options. This study aims to assess the efficacy of garlic (G) and bakuchiol (Bk) combination against candida virulent genes and their subsequently secreted proteins.

Methods: In vitro single species biofilms of C. albicans, and mixed species biofilms formed in combination with streptococci were exposed to bakuchiol and garlic extract (Bk+G). Gene expression of agglutinin-like sequence (ALS1), (ALS3), adhesin-like wall proteins (HWP1) and aspartyl proteinases (SAP5) were determined using qPCR and their subsequent proteins were assessed through Western blotting.

Results: Virulent genes were significantly downregulated in single species biofilms when they were treated with Bk+G combination. However, Bk+G did not have significant effect on ALS1 and HWP1 gene in polymicrobial biofilms. ALS3 and SAP5 were significantly downregulated in Bk+G treated polymicrobial biofilm. Similar results were portrayed in Western blotting.

Conclusion: Bk+G combination exhibited antimicrobial effects against single and mixed species biofilms. The findings might provide insights for treating resistant candida infections. This combination could potentially serve as an herbal alternative to traditional antifungals following further research.

Keywords: Alternative medicine; Bacteria; Dentistry; Fungus; Natural product; Oral biology.

Grants and funding

The authors received funding support from the Research University Grant (RU), GPF005E-2018 and the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) FP034-2015A. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.