Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study
Serious oral infections are frequently caused by Candida species, which have lately demonstrated resistance to antifungal medications. As a result, new therapeutic strategies, like photodynamic therapy (PDT), are desperately needed. Lactoferrin (LF), a salivary enzyme, is a natural protein that bind...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Cinzia Casu Andrea Butera Alice Piga Andrea Scribante Sara Fais Germano Orrù |
| author_facet | Cinzia Casu Andrea Butera Alice Piga Andrea Scribante Sara Fais Germano Orrù |
| author_sort | Cinzia Casu |
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| description | Serious oral infections are frequently caused by Candida species, which have lately demonstrated resistance to antifungal medications. As a result, new therapeutic strategies, like photodynamic therapy (PDT), are desperately needed. Lactoferrin (LF), a salivary enzyme, is a natural protein that binds iron and has antifungal properties. Given its chemical structure and light absorption at 310–350 nm, LF appears to be a good photosensitizer in a PDT process for treating oral candidiasis. The purpose of this work was to assess the effectiveness of lactoferrin (LF) as a photosensitizer (PS) in photodynamic treatment (PDT) against oral multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates of <i>Candida</i> spp. using an in vitro investigation. For this in vitro investigation, oral MDR isolates of <i>Candida albicans</i>, <i>Candida kruseii</i>, and <i>Candida glabrata</i> were employed. Using a Kirby–Bauer test (Eucast protocol), a solution of 20 mg of bovine lactoferrin dissolved in 1 mL of Sabouraud’s broth was tested in four different experimental combinations: (i) the solution as it is; (ii) the solution activated with 3% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>; (iii) the solution activated by light at 310–350 nm; and (iv) the solution activated with both 3% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and light at 310–350 nm. A control group and one with only H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> were also tested. After that, the Petri plates were incubated for 48 h at 37 °C. With inhibitory halos ranging from 30 to 40 mm for all <i>Candida</i> spp. MDR analyzed, group (iv) displayed the greatest results. H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> + lactoferrin-based solutions are thought to be potential PS in PDT for MDR <i>Candida</i> spp. eradication. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-71c6d5a64e904ebe90d4695b8affdcbc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-71c6d5a64e904ebe90d4695b8affdcbc2025-08-20T03:27:35ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-05-01136125510.3390/microorganisms13061255Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro StudyCinzia Casu0Andrea Butera1Alice Piga2Andrea Scribante3Sara Fais4Germano Orrù5Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, ItalyUnit of Dental Hygiene, Section of Dentistry, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, ItalyOral Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, ItalyUnit of Dental Hygiene, Section of Dentistry, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, ItalyOral Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, ItalyOral Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, ItalySerious oral infections are frequently caused by Candida species, which have lately demonstrated resistance to antifungal medications. As a result, new therapeutic strategies, like photodynamic therapy (PDT), are desperately needed. Lactoferrin (LF), a salivary enzyme, is a natural protein that binds iron and has antifungal properties. Given its chemical structure and light absorption at 310–350 nm, LF appears to be a good photosensitizer in a PDT process for treating oral candidiasis. The purpose of this work was to assess the effectiveness of lactoferrin (LF) as a photosensitizer (PS) in photodynamic treatment (PDT) against oral multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates of <i>Candida</i> spp. using an in vitro investigation. For this in vitro investigation, oral MDR isolates of <i>Candida albicans</i>, <i>Candida kruseii</i>, and <i>Candida glabrata</i> were employed. Using a Kirby–Bauer test (Eucast protocol), a solution of 20 mg of bovine lactoferrin dissolved in 1 mL of Sabouraud’s broth was tested in four different experimental combinations: (i) the solution as it is; (ii) the solution activated with 3% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>; (iii) the solution activated by light at 310–350 nm; and (iv) the solution activated with both 3% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and light at 310–350 nm. A control group and one with only H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> were also tested. After that, the Petri plates were incubated for 48 h at 37 °C. With inhibitory halos ranging from 30 to 40 mm for all <i>Candida</i> spp. MDR analyzed, group (iv) displayed the greatest results. H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> + lactoferrin-based solutions are thought to be potential PS in PDT for MDR <i>Candida</i> spp. eradication.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1255lactoferrinphotodynamic therapycandidain vitro study |
| spellingShingle | Cinzia Casu Andrea Butera Alice Piga Andrea Scribante Sara Fais Germano Orrù Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study Microorganisms lactoferrin photodynamic therapy candida in vitro study |
| title | Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study |
| title_full | Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study |
| title_fullStr | Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study |
| title_short | Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study |
| title_sort | lactoferrin solution as a new natural photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy against oral i candida i spp multidrug resistant isolates a preliminary in vitro study |
| topic | lactoferrin photodynamic therapy candida in vitro study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1255 |
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