Antibiofilm Activity and Biocompatibility of Temporin-SHa: A Promising Antimicrobial Peptide for Control of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans
- Microorganisms. 2024 Jan 4;12(1):99. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12010099.
- 1. Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 16015-050, Brazil.
- 2. College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada.
- 3. Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-060, Brazil.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) Hylin-a1, KR-12-a5, and Temporin-SHa in Candida albicans as well as the biocompatibility of keratinocytes spontaneously immortalized (NOK-si) and human gingival fibroblasts (FGH) cells. Initially, the susceptible (CaS-ATCC 90028) and fluconazole-resistant (CaR-ATCC 96901) C. albicans strains were grown to evaluate the effect of each AMP in planktonic culture, biofilm, and biocompatibility on oral cells. Among the AMPs evaluated, temporin-SHa showed the most promising results. After 24 h of Temporin-SHa exposure, the survival curve results showed that CaS and CaR suspensions reduced 72% and 70% of cell viability compared to the control group. The minimum inhibitory/fungicide concentrations (MIC and MFC) showed that Temporin-SHa was able to reduce ≥50% at ≥256 µg/mL for both strains. The inhibition of biofilm formation, efficacy against biofilm formation, and total biomass assays were performed until 48 h of biofilm maturation, and Temporin-SHa was able to reduce ≥50% of CaS and CaR growth. Furthermore, Temporin-SHa (512 µg/mL) was classified as non-cytotoxic and slightly cytotoxic for NOK-si and FGH, respectively. Temporin-SHa demonstrated an anti-biofilm effect against CaS and CaR and was biocompatible with NOK-si and FGH oral cells in monolayer.