The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic Mechanisms
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Parietin (PTN), a blue-light absorbing pigment from <i>Teloschistes</i> spp. lichens, exhibit photosensitizing properties via Type I (superoxide anion, O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>) and Type II (singlet oxygen, <sup>1&...
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| author | Juliana Marioni Bianca C. Romero Ma. Laura Mugas Florencia Martinez Tomas I. Gómez Jesús M. N. Morales Brenda S. Konigheim Claudio D. Borsarelli Susana C. Nuñez-Montoya |
| author_facet | Juliana Marioni Bianca C. Romero Ma. Laura Mugas Florencia Martinez Tomas I. Gómez Jesús M. N. Morales Brenda S. Konigheim Claudio D. Borsarelli Susana C. Nuñez-Montoya |
| author_sort | Juliana Marioni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Parietin (PTN), a blue-light absorbing pigment from <i>Teloschistes</i> spp. lichens, exhibit photosensitizing properties via Type I (superoxide anion, O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>) and Type II (singlet oxygen, <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>) mechanisms, inactivating bacteria in vitro after photoexcitation. We evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of PTN against <i>Candida tropicalis</i> biofilms under actinic irradiation, its role in O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> and <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> production, and the cellular stress response. <b>Methods</b>: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PTN was determined in <i>C. tropicalis</i> NCPF 3111 under dark and actinic light conditions. Biofilm susceptibility was assessed at MIC/2, MIC, MICx2, MICx4, and MICx6 in the same conditions, and viability was measured by colony-forming units. Photodynamic mechanisms were examined using Tiron (O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> scavenger) or sodium azide (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> quencher). O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> production was measured by the nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and nitric oxide (NO) generation by Griess assay. Total antioxidant capacity was studied by FRAP (Ferrous Reduction Antioxidant Potency) assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by NBT assay. <b>Results</b>: Photoexcitation of PTN reduced <i>C. tropicalis</i> biofilm viability by four logs at MICx2. Sodium azide partially reversed the effect, whereas Tiron fully inhibited it, indicating the critical role of O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>. PTN also increased O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> and NO levels, enhancing SOD activity and FRAP. However, this antioxidant response was insufficient to prevent biofilm photoinactivation. <b>Conclusions</b>: Photoinactivation of <i>C. tropicalis</i> biofilms by PTN is primarily mediated by O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>, with a minor contribution from <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> and an imbalance in NO levels. These findings suggest PTN is a promising photosensitizer for antifungal photodynamic therapy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a6ffd4c49df9456db147dfa5762a406e |
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| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a6ffd4c49df9456db147dfa5762a406e2025-08-20T03:14:35ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-04-0117554810.3390/pharmaceutics17050548The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic MechanismsJuliana Marioni0Bianca C. Romero1Ma. Laura Mugas2Florencia Martinez3Tomas I. Gómez4Jesús M. N. Morales5Brenda S. Konigheim6Claudio D. Borsarelli7Susana C. Nuñez-Montoya8Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba X5000HUA, ArgentinaDepartamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba X5000HUA, ArgentinaDepartamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba X5000HUA, ArgentinaInstituto de Virología “Dr. J. M. Vanella”, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000HUA, ArgentinaDepartamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba X5000HUA, ArgentinaInstituto de Bionanotecnología del NOA (INBIONATEC), Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero—CONICET, RN9, Km 1125, Santiago del Estero G4206XCP, ArgentinaInstituto de Virología “Dr. J. M. Vanella”, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000HUA, ArgentinaInstituto de Bionanotecnología del NOA (INBIONATEC), Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero—CONICET, RN9, Km 1125, Santiago del Estero G4206XCP, ArgentinaDepartamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Parietin (PTN), a blue-light absorbing pigment from <i>Teloschistes</i> spp. lichens, exhibit photosensitizing properties via Type I (superoxide anion, O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>) and Type II (singlet oxygen, <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>) mechanisms, inactivating bacteria in vitro after photoexcitation. We evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of PTN against <i>Candida tropicalis</i> biofilms under actinic irradiation, its role in O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> and <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> production, and the cellular stress response. <b>Methods</b>: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PTN was determined in <i>C. tropicalis</i> NCPF 3111 under dark and actinic light conditions. Biofilm susceptibility was assessed at MIC/2, MIC, MICx2, MICx4, and MICx6 in the same conditions, and viability was measured by colony-forming units. Photodynamic mechanisms were examined using Tiron (O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> scavenger) or sodium azide (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> quencher). O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> production was measured by the nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and nitric oxide (NO) generation by Griess assay. Total antioxidant capacity was studied by FRAP (Ferrous Reduction Antioxidant Potency) assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by NBT assay. <b>Results</b>: Photoexcitation of PTN reduced <i>C. tropicalis</i> biofilm viability by four logs at MICx2. Sodium azide partially reversed the effect, whereas Tiron fully inhibited it, indicating the critical role of O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>. PTN also increased O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup> and NO levels, enhancing SOD activity and FRAP. However, this antioxidant response was insufficient to prevent biofilm photoinactivation. <b>Conclusions</b>: Photoinactivation of <i>C. tropicalis</i> biofilms by PTN is primarily mediated by O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>, with a minor contribution from <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> and an imbalance in NO levels. These findings suggest PTN is a promising photosensitizer for antifungal photodynamic therapy.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/5/548natural anthraquinonesuperoxide anionsinglet oxygen<i>Candida</i> biofilmphotodynamic therapyphotoinactivation |
| spellingShingle | Juliana Marioni Bianca C. Romero Ma. Laura Mugas Florencia Martinez Tomas I. Gómez Jesús M. N. Morales Brenda S. Konigheim Claudio D. Borsarelli Susana C. Nuñez-Montoya The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic Mechanisms Pharmaceutics natural anthraquinone superoxide anion singlet oxygen <i>Candida</i> biofilm photodynamic therapy photoinactivation |
| title | The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic Mechanisms |
| title_full | The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic Mechanisms |
| title_fullStr | The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic Mechanisms |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic Mechanisms |
| title_short | The Natural Anthraquinone Parietin Inactivates <i>Candida tropicalis</i> Biofilm by Photodynamic Mechanisms |
| title_sort | natural anthraquinone parietin inactivates i candida tropicalis i biofilm by photodynamic mechanisms |
| topic | natural anthraquinone superoxide anion singlet oxygen <i>Candida</i> biofilm photodynamic therapy photoinactivation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/5/548 |
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