Attenuation of Pathogenicity in Candida albicans by Application of Polyphenols

Abstract

Candida albicans is one of the most pathogenic and opportunistic class of fungi. Its emergence disturbs the human biome and can create serious damage in immunocompromised conditions. Hyphal growth and biofilm formation are mainly the core factors leading to progression of pathogenicity in C. albicans. The drug resistance towards azoles has created a demand of new novel pharmacologically active compounds. Although there are several pathways and factors known for causing pathogenicity there is none single connected pathway known for the whole mechanism such as SAP5, N-myrstyltransferase, Erg11 and Efg1 proteins. In the present study we have focussed on all the pathways and sorted major factors contributing in more than one pathways. The plant based polyphenols that have been studied here are non-toxic and more efficient as compared to the marketed azoles. These selected polyphenols were found to be capable of causing cell death of C. albicans up to 20% and inhibiting hyphal growth up to 90% as compared to Fluconazole. Biologically the polyphenols have been found to be more active on glyoxylate pathway.