Exploring the potential mechanism of action of piperine against candida albicans and targeting its virulence factors

Plant-derived compounds have proven to be a source of inspiration for new drugs. In this study, piperine isolated from the fruits of Piper nigrum showed anti-Candida activity. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of piperine and its impact on virulence factors in Candida albicans, which have not be...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bravo Chaucanés, Claudia Patricia, Chitiva, Luis Carlos, Vargas Casanova, Yerly, Diaz Santoyo, Valentina, Hernández, Andrea Ximena, Costa, Geison M., Parra Giraldo, Claudia Marcela
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/104561
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/104561
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:579
615.32
Antifungal activity
Candida albicans
Mechanism of action
Piperine
Virulence factors
Microbiología (Farmacia)
Farmacología (Farmacia)
Enfermedades infecciosas
3302.03 Microbiología Industrial
3209.05 Farmacognosia
3205.05 Enfermedades Infecciosas
Descripción
Sumario:Plant-derived compounds have proven to be a source of inspiration for new drugs. In this study, piperine isolated from the fruits of Piper nigrum showed anti-Candida activity. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of piperine and its impact on virulence factors in Candida albicans, which have not been comprehensively understood, were also assessed. Initially, piperine suppressed the hyphal transition in both liquid and solid media, hindered biofilm formation, and resulted in observable cell distortions in scanning electron microscope (SEM) samples, for both fluconazole-sensitive and fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strains. Additionally, the morphogenetic switches triggered by piperine were found to rely on the activity of mutant C. albicans strains. Secondly, piperine treatment increased cell membrane permeability and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, as evidenced by propidium iodine and Rhodamine 123 staining, respectively. Moreover, it induced the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in C. albicans. Synergy was obtained between the piperine and the fluconazole against the fluconazole-sensitive strain. Interestingly, there were no hemolytic effects of piperine, and it resulted in reduced cytotoxicity on fibroblast cells at low concentrations. The results suggest that piperine could have a dual mode of action inhibiting virulence factors and modulating cellular processes, leading to cell death in C. albicans.