Effect of Gel Entrapping Catechin on The Virulence of C.albicans

Objective: Candida albicans is most frequently isolated fungus from humans. It is well known that this fungus is an opportunistic pathogens, and also cause the candidasis in case of immunologically deficient state such as HIV or a microbial substitution by long term administration of antibacterial agent. In oral cavity, C. albicans sometimes set up an acute pseudomembranous candidiasis and thrush. Denture stomatitis is also caused to a denture wearer by this microorganism. We presented the antimicrobial activity of Gel entrapping catechin (GEC; Meiji-Dairies, Tokyo) against oral microorganisms at 87th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR. We examined the antifungal action of catechin and GEC against C. albicans attached on resin piece and attempted to the possibility for clinical application. Methods: C. albicans NUD-202 was employed in this study. After C. albicans attached on resin piece was incubated with GEC, antifungal activity was demonstrated by colony forming units. ATP production activity of C. albicans after incubation was measured by luciferase assay. The effect of the switch from yeast to hyphal form with catechin was observed by Flow Cytometry. Results: The number of colony after treatment with GEC was lower than gel without catechin as a control. The amount of produced ATP after incubation was also very lower than control. From the result of Flow Cytometry, the rate of switch to hyphal form was inhibited by GEC treatment. Conclusions: GEC inhibited the growth of C. albicans attached on resin piece and also suppressed the production of ATP. Catechin obstructed the hyphal formation that was the one of the important pathogenic factors of this microorganism. These results suggest that GEC could be useful for control the number and the pathogenicity of C. albicans in oral cavity.