IADR Abstract Archives

Antifungal Activity of Flavonoids Against Candida albicans

Oral candidiasis (OC) is a significant opportunistic infection that often presents as a complication to existing conditions. The infection is conventionally managed with antifungals such as nystatin and fluconazole; however, there is a recent increase in OC that is resistant to these current drugs. Flavonoids are natural products commonly found in plants that have shown to have biological activity against Candida albicans.

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to test the antimicrobial activity of flavonoids myricetin, quercetin, and pinocembrin against C. albicans and determine their cytotoxicity on human cells.  

Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined according to NCLLS guidelines. C. albicans (ATCC: 90028) at 2.5 x 103 cells/mL was cultured in RPMI-medium at 37oC in 5% CO2 with diferent concentrations of myricetin (0.7-7000 µM), quercetin (4.5-4500 µM), and pinocembrin (0.25-2500 µM) (n=9). The MIC was determined after 24h. Fluconazole (3.27 µM) and solutions with 1% DMSO served as positive and vehicle controls respectively. The drugs were also administered to a HeLa (ATCC: CRM-CCL-2) culture of 105 cells/ml incubated 18h in DMEM/10% FBS and 37oC in 5% CO2 to test their cytotoxicity. Toxicity was evaluated using fluorometric quantification of cellular viability.   

Results: Myricetin and quercetin inhibit C. albicans growth and an MIC was established as 30 µM and 25 µM respectively. The pinocembrin was not effective against C. albicans. In culture with HeLa cells, the toxicity of myricetin was 700 µM and quercetin was 450 µM. The therapeutic index for quercetin was 18 and for myricetin was 23.

Conclusion: Myricetin and quercetin had inhibitory effects on fungal growth with high therapeutic indexes that prove promising as novel antifungal agents.

AADR/CADR Annual Meeting
2014 AADR/CADR Annual Meeting (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Charlotte, North Carolina
2014
1008
Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology
  • Patuwo, Christopher  ( University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA )
  • Pasetto, Silvana  ( University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA )
  • Young, Keane  ( University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA )
  • Murata, Ramiro  ( University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA )
    • Poster Session
    Antimicrobial Therapy, Dental Plaque and Oral Cancer
    03/21/2014