IADR Abstract Archives
Chitosan enhanced anti-Candida activity of antifungal drugs
Objectives: To investigate the activity of chitosan against common oral Candida species and the effect of chitosan on anti-Candida activity of antifungal drugs in vitro.
Methods: The minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of 3 chitosan derivatives (N-succinyl chitosan, low (45,000 Da, LMW) and high (150,000-200,000 Da, HMW) molecular-weight water-soluble chitosan) were determined by broth dilution method against 4 standard strains of C.albicans, C.krusei, C.parapsilosis and C.tropicalis, and a clinical isolate of C.dubliniensis. The sublethal concentrations of HMW water-soluble chitosan were determined and tested for synergism with two antifungal drugs, fluconazole and amphotericin B. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the antifungal drugs for each Candida species were evaluated by dilution-diffusion method (E-test) in the presence and absence of chitosan.
Results: The MFC of HMW water-soluble chitosan against the 5 Candida species was 1.25-5 mg/ml, while that of N-succinyl chitosan was 1-8 mg/ml. In contrast, LMW water-soluble chitosan was ineffective even at the highest concentration (15 mg/ml). Interestingly, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole against most species (except C.krusei), and that of amphotericin B against C.krusei and C.tropicalis, were decreased by 1.5-4 fold in the presence of sublethal concentrations of HMW water-soluble chitosan.
Conclusions: HMW water-soluble chitosan showed the highest activity against common oral Candida species. Furthermore, it could enhance the antifungal activities of fluconazole and amphotericin B against certain Candida species. Thus, together with its mucoadhesive property, HMW water-soluble chitosan shows promise for future development into a carrier that enhances the activity of antifungal drugs for oral applications.
Methods: The minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of 3 chitosan derivatives (N-succinyl chitosan, low (45,000 Da, LMW) and high (150,000-200,000 Da, HMW) molecular-weight water-soluble chitosan) were determined by broth dilution method against 4 standard strains of C.albicans, C.krusei, C.parapsilosis and C.tropicalis, and a clinical isolate of C.dubliniensis. The sublethal concentrations of HMW water-soluble chitosan were determined and tested for synergism with two antifungal drugs, fluconazole and amphotericin B. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the antifungal drugs for each Candida species were evaluated by dilution-diffusion method (E-test) in the presence and absence of chitosan.
Results: The MFC of HMW water-soluble chitosan against the 5 Candida species was 1.25-5 mg/ml, while that of N-succinyl chitosan was 1-8 mg/ml. In contrast, LMW water-soluble chitosan was ineffective even at the highest concentration (15 mg/ml). Interestingly, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole against most species (except C.krusei), and that of amphotericin B against C.krusei and C.tropicalis, were decreased by 1.5-4 fold in the presence of sublethal concentrations of HMW water-soluble chitosan.
Conclusions: HMW water-soluble chitosan showed the highest activity against common oral Candida species. Furthermore, it could enhance the antifungal activities of fluconazole and amphotericin B against certain Candida species. Thus, together with its mucoadhesive property, HMW water-soluble chitosan shows promise for future development into a carrier that enhances the activity of antifungal drugs for oral applications.