A curcumin-sophorolipid nanocomplex inhibits Candida albicans filamentation and biofilm development

Rajasekar, V., Darne, P., Prabhune, A., Kao, R. Y.T., Solomon, A. P., Ramage, G. , Samaranayake, L. and Neelakantan, P. (2021) A curcumin-sophorolipid nanocomplex inhibits Candida albicans filamentation and biofilm development. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 200, 111617. (doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111617) (PMID:33592455)

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Abstract

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is highly resistant to contemporary antifungals, due to their biofilm lifestyle. The ability of C. albicans to invade human tissues is due to its filamentation. Therefore, inhibition of biofilms and filamentation of the yeast are high value targets to develop the next-generation antifungals. Curcumin (CU) is a natural polyphenol with excellent pharmacological attributes, but limitations such as poor solubility, acid, and enzyme tolerance have impeded its practical utility. Sophorolipids (SL) are biologically-derived surfactants that serve as efficient carriers of hydrophobic molecules such as curcumin into biofilms. Here, we synthesized a curcumin-sophorolipid nanocomplex (CU-SL), and comprehensively evaluated its effects on C. albicans biofilms and filamentation. Our results demonstrated that sub-inhibitory concentration of CU-SL (9.37 µg/mL) significantly inhibited fungal adhesion to substrates, and subsequent biofilm development, maturation, and filamentation. This effect was associated with significant downregulation of a select group of biofilm, adhesins, and hyphal regulatory genes. In conclusion, the curcumin-sophorolipid nanocomplex is a potent inhibitor of the two major virulence attributes of C. albicans, biofilm formation and filamentation, thus highlighting its promise as a putative anti-fungal agent with biofilm penetrative potential.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ramage, Professor Gordon
Creator Roles:
Ramage, G.Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Authors: Rajasekar, V., Darne, P., Prabhune, A., Kao, R. Y.T., Solomon, A. P., Ramage, G., Samaranayake, L., and Neelakantan, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
Journal Name:Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0927-7765
ISSN (Online):1873-4367
Published Online:06 February 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 200: 111617
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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