Antifungal activity of dexamethasone against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans  and its activity against biofilms

• Published in: Future microbiology Vol. 17; no. 8; pp. 607 - 620
• Main Authors: Silva, Lisandra J, Silva, Cecília R, Sá, Lívia Gav, Barroso, Fatima Dd, Cândido, Thiago M, Queiroz, Helaine A, Almeida Moreira, Lara E, Baccallini, Octavio V, Cavalcanti, Bruno C, Silva, Jacilene, Marinho, Emmanuel S, Moraes, Manoel O, Neto, João Ba, Júnior, Hélio Vn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.05.2022
• Subjects: Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Dexamethasone - pharmacology; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Drug Synergism; Fluconazole - pharmacology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Docking Simulation; Candida spp; dexamethasone; repositioning; biofilm
• ISSN: 1746-0913; 1746-0921
• DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0146

The present study investigated the antifungal action of dexamethasone disodium phosphate (Dex). Susceptibility testing was performed using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute protocol; M27-A3, checkerboard test and biofilm were evaluated with two isolates of , hyphal production test, molecular docking analysis and flow cytometry analysis. Dex and fluconazole (FLC) together had a synergistic effect. Mature biofilm was reduced when treated with Dex alone or in combination. Dex and FLC promoted a decrease in the production of hyphae and changes in the level of mitochondrial depolarization, increased generation of reactive oxygen species, loss of membrane integrity, increased phosphatidylserine externalization and molecular docking; there was interaction with ALS3 and SAP5 targets. Dex showed antifungal activity against FLC-resistant strains.