Design, synthesis, biological activity and structure-activity relationship studies of chalcone derivatives as potential anti-Candida agents
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects millions of women around the world every year. Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated pathogen in women and its rapid ability to develop resistance to first and second line therapies has boosted the search for new and effective antifungal agents. In t...
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Published in | Journal of antibiotics Vol. 71; no. 8; pp. 702 - 712 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
Nature Publishing Group UK
01.08.2018
Springer Nature Nature Publishing Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects millions of women around the world every year.
Candida albicans
is the most frequently isolated pathogen in women and its rapid ability to develop resistance to first and second line therapies has boosted the search for new and effective antifungal agents. In this study, we show the in vitro anti-Candida activity of fifteen synthetic chalcone analogs and their antifungal potential in an in vivo model of VVC. Chalcone
12
showed potent antifungal effects, being able to inhibit the growth of
Candida
spp. at a concentration of 15.6 µg mL
−1
. In addition, mechanism of action studies have indicated the ergosterol fungal membrane as the target of this compound. Despite a considerable antifungal activity, the chalcone
12
showed high cytotoxicity in kidney cells lineages. Moreover, this compound was able to reduce Candida-associated virulence, impairing yeast–hyphal transition in
C. albicans
. An in vivo model of VVC showed that chalcone
12
significantly reduces the fungal load. Taken together, these findings showed that the chalcone
12
is a potent anti-Candida agent in vitro beyond of contribute to improve the fungal infection in a model of CVV. However, it showed low selectivity and high toxicity, suggesting molecular modifications to minimize these proprieties. |
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ISSN: | 0021-8820 1881-1469 |
DOI: | 10.1038/s41429-018-0048-9 |