Cranberry proanthocyanidins inhibit the adherence properties of Candida albicans and cytokine secretion by oral epithelial cells

• Published in: BMC complementary and alternative medicine Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 6
• Main Authors: Feldman, Mark, Tanabe, Shinichi, Howell, Amy, Grenier, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 16.01.2012; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Biofilms - drug effects; Candida albicans; Candida albicans - drug effects; Candida albicans - pathogenicity; Candidiasis, Oral - drug therapy; Candidiasis, Oral - metabolism; Candidiasis, Oral - microbiology; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Colleges & universities; Cytokines; Development and progression; Epithelial cells; Epithelial Cells - drug effects; Glucose; Interleukin-6 - secretion; Interleukin-8 - secretion; Interleukins - secretion; Mass spectrometry; Mouth Mucosa - cytology; Mouth Mucosa - drug effects; Mouth Mucosa - microbiology; NF-kappa B - metabolism; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Phosphorylation; Phosphotransferases - metabolism; Physiological aspects; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Proanthocyanidins - pharmacology; Proanthocyanidins - therapeutic use; Proteins; Saliva; Signal transduction; Thrush (Mouth disease); Vaccinium macrocarpon - chemistry; United States
• DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-6
• ISSN: 1472-6882

Oral candidiasis is a common fungal disease mainly caused by Candida albicans. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of A-type cranberry proanthocyanidins (AC-PACs) on pathogenic properties of C. albicans as well as on the inflammatory response of oral epithelial cells induced by this oral pathogen. Microplate dilution assays were performed to determine the effect of AC-PACs on C. albicans growth as well as biofilm formation stained with crystal violet. Adhesion of FITC-labeled C. albicans to oral epithelial cells and to acrylic resin disks was monitored by fluorometry. The effects of AC-PACs on C. albicans-induced cytokine secretion, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 activation and kinase phosphorylation in oral epithelial cells were determined by immunological assays. Although AC-PACs did not affect growth of C. albicans, it prevented biofilm formation and reduced adherence of C. albicans to oral epithelial cells and saliva-coated acrylic resin discs. In addition, AC-PACs significantly decreased the secretion of IL-8 and IL-6 by oral epithelial cells stimulated with C. albicans. This anti-inflammatory effect was associated with reduced activation of NF-κB p65 and phosphorylation of specific signal intracellular kinases. AC-PACs by affecting the adherence properties of C. albicans and attenuating the inflammatory response induced by this pathogen represent potential novel therapeutic agents for the prevention/treatment of oral candidiasis.