Menthol as an effective inhibitor of quorum sensing and biofilm formation in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata by targeting the transcriptional repressor TUP1

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发表日期：

2024年11月1日

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Pouria Khodavandi,
Maryam Miri Soogh,
Fahimeh Alizadeh,
Alireza Khodavandi,
Sadegh Nouripour-Sisakht

摘要

Background

Menthol, a natural quorum sensing molecule, is derived from the Mentha species. Combating pathogenicity by inactivating quorum sensing is an emerging approach. Therefore, our objective was to investigate anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm potentials of menthol in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.

Methods

The antifungal properties of menthol were evaluated using a broth microdilution assay and a time-kill assay, and its effects on quorum sensing-mediated virulence factors, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and biofilm formation were tested by evaluating TUP1 expression levels in both C. albicans and C. glabrata.

Results

Quorum sensing-mediated virulence factors and biofilm formation were inhibited by menthol in both C. albicans and C. glabrata. Furthermore, coinciding with elevated ROS levels, mRNAs of the quorum sensing-related gene TUP1 were upregulated in both C. albicans and C. glabrata.

Conclusions

This study highlights the anti-quorum sensing potential of menthol through the inhibition of quorum sensing-mediated virulence factors, ROS generation, and biofilm development by targeting TUP1, which could have potential in the treatment of Candida infections.