In Vivo Antifungal Activity of Monolaurin against Candida albicans Biofilms

Monolaurin is a natural compound that has been known for its broad antimicrobial activities. We evaluate the Antifungal activity of monolaurin against Candida albicans biofilms in vivo using a novel bioluminescent model to longitudinally monitor oral fungal Infection. Oral fungal Infection in vivo was performed using bioluminescent engineered C. albicans (SKCa23-ActgLUC) biofilms on Balb/c mice. The Antifungal activity of monolaurin was determined by comparing three groups of mice (n=5/group): monolaurin, vehicle control, and positive control (nystatin). All mice were immunosuppressed with cortisone acetate and oral topical treatments were applied for 5 d. In vivo imaging system (IVIS) imaging was used to monitor the progression of Infection over a 5-d period. Total photon flux and ex vivo microbiological analysis of the excised tongues were used to determine the overall Fungal burden. Oral topical treatments of monolaurin have resulted in a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the total photon flux over 4 and 5 d post-infection in comparison to the vehicle control group. Furthermore, monolaurin treated group had a significant decrease in colony formation unit of tongue tissue compared to the vehicle control. Our findings support monolaurin as a promising Antifungal compound in vivo, which may translate to its future use in the treatment of oral candidiasis.