• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.124-130
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• 2001

The in vitro activities of 2,2'-dipyridyl, an iron-chelator, against clinical isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans, and Gardnerella vaginalis was evaluated and compared with those of four other vaginal suppositories, ornidazole, clotrimazole, povidone-iodine, and $Cenacert^{\circledR}$ (Methylbezethonium Chloride mixed with 9-aminoacrydine undecylenate and hydrochloric acid N-myristyl-3-hydroxy butyl amine). The 2,2'-dipyridyl killed T. vaginalis and G. vaginalis at concentrations of $410\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $205\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively, however, ths agent was less active against C. albicans (80% of which was inhiited at $410\;{\mu}g/ml$). The inhibition of these three pathogens by 2,2'-dipyridyl was similar to clotrimazole. In addition, the effect of 2,2'-dipyridyl on the ultrastructure of T. vaginalis, C. albicans, an G. vaginalis was examined. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that 2,2'-dipyridyl induced modifications of the cellular contents and cell envolope concumitant with the degradation of the three pathogens. These results suggest that 2,2'-dipyridyl has an inhibitory effect on C. albicans and G. vaginalis, as well as T. vaginalis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1835-1842
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• 2020

Ergosterol, an essential constituent of membrane lipids of yeast, is distributed in both the cell membrane and intracellular endomembrane components such as vacuoles. Honokiol, a major polyphenol isolated from Magnolia officinalis, has been shown to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Here, we assessed the effect of honokiol on ergosterol biosynthesis and vacuole function in C. albicans. Honokiol could decrease the ergosterol content and upregulate the expression of genes related with the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. The exogenous supply of ergosterol attenuated the toxicity of honokiol against C. albicans. Honokiol treatment could induce cytosolic acidification by blocking the activity of the plasma membrane Pma1p H+-ATPase. Furthermore, honokiol caused abnormalities in vacuole morphology and function. Concomitant ergosterol feeding to some extent restored the vacuolar morphology and the function of acidification in cells treated by honokiol. Honokiol also disrupted the intracellular calcium homeostasis. Amiodarone attenuated the antifungal effects of honokiol against C. albicans, probably due to the activation of the calcineurin signaling pathway which is involved in honokiol tolerance. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that honokiol could inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis and decrease Pma 1p H+-ATPase activity, which resulted in the abnormal pH in vacuole and cytosol.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2010

Phytoncide, essential oil of trees, has microbicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal, and deodorizing effect. The present study was performed to examine the effect of phytoncide on Candida albicans, which is a commensal colonizer of the mucous membranes but has become an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans was incubated with or without phytoncide extracted from Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc.; Japanese cypress) and then changes were observed in its optical density, cell viability and morphology. As concentrations of phytoncide added to the culture medium increased, optical density and cell viability of C. albicans decreased. Minimum inhibitory concentration of phytoncide for C. albicans was observed to be 0.25%, and minimum fungicidal concentration was 0.5%. Numbers of morphologically atypical cells with electron-dense cytoplasm and granules and increased with increasing concentration of the phytoncide. At higher concentrations of phytoncide, compartments and organelles in the cytoplasm became indistinguishable. The overall results indicate that the phytoncide used for this study has a strong antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. Therefore, the phytoncide may be used as a candidate for prevention and therapeutic agent against oral candidiasis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.201-206
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• 2014

IL-33 is a member of the IL-1 cytokine family and plays a role in the host defense against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In this study, we investigated the function of IL-33 and its receptor in in vitro macrophage responses to Candida albicans. Our results demonstrate that pre-sensitization of isolated peritoneal macrophages with IL-33 enhanced their pro-inflammatory cytokine production and phagocytic activity in response to C. albicans. These macrophage activities were entirely dependent on the ST2-MyD88 signaling pathway. In addition, pre-sensitization with IL-33 also increased ROS production and the subsequent killing ability of macrophages following C. albicans challenge. These results indicate that IL-33 may increase anti-fungal activity against Candida through macrophage-mediated resistance mechanisms.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.606-611
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• 2000

Dimorphic yeast Candida albicans reversibly switches between the form of yeast and hyphae depending on external conditions. We investigated possible roles of the myosin family in the growth and dimorphic switches of C. albicans with a general myosin ATPase inhibitor, 2,3-butanedione-2-monoxime (BDM). Transition to hyphae as well as proliferation by budding was completely inhibited by BDM at 16 mM. Presence of 16 mM BDM did not affect hyphae-to-bud transition but it blocked budding. The effects of BDM on yeast growth and dimorphic switches were reversible. More than 70% of the BDM-treated cells demonstrated defects in the amount and the polarized localization of F-actin as well as in the shape and migration of the nucleus, suggesting that myosin activities are needed in these cellular processes of C. albicans.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.582-590
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• 1996

For the research of antifungal active constituents from natural products, 226 plants were extracted with ether and methanol, separately, and screened antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Penicillium avellaneum cells. The results demonstrated that 30 samlpes showed antifungal activity in ether or methanol extracts and 17 samples in ether extracts and 20 samples in methanol extracts against C. albicans. Against P. avellaneum, 19 samlpes showed antifungal activity in ether or methanol extracts and 17 samples in ether extracts and 11 samples in methanol extracts, respectively. The antifungal activity of natural products against C. albicans were showed more sensitive than P. avellaneum, and the polarity of the solvent was not specific in antifungal activity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.422-427
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• 2005

Our previous data showed the protein isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma (CRP) had antifungal activity. In present study, we examined mode of action of the CRP and its activity against subcutaneous candidiasis due to C. albicans yeast cells. Results showed that the CRP blocked hyphal production from yeast form of C. albicans. The CRP also activated RAW 264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line, which resulted in nitiric oxide (NO) production from the cells. This activation seemed to increase macrophage phagocytosis to destroy the invaders. Like other antimicrobial peptides, CRP was influenced by ionic strength, thus resulting in a decrease of antifungal activity. In murine model of a subcutaneous candidiasis, the sizes of infected areas of the nude mice given the CRP after subcutaneous injection of C. albicans yeast cells to the dorsal skin were $90\%$ less than those of the nude mice groups that received DPBS instead of the CRP. All data indicate that the CRP, which appeared to act like an antimicrobial peptide and to inhibit the morphological transition from blastoconidia, was effec­tive against the subcutaneous disease.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2017

Metal-based drugs, such as 1,10-phenanthroline, have demonstrated anticancer, antifungal and antiplasmodium activities. One of the 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives compounds (1)-N-2-methoxybenzyl-1,10-phenanthrolinium bromide (FEN), which has been demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the growth of Candida spp. This study aimed to explore the in vitro antifungal activity of FEN and its effect on the membrane integrity of Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of FEN against planktonic C. albicans cells were determined using the broth microdilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Cell membrane integrity was determined with the propidium iodide assay using a flow cytometer and were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Planktonic cells growth of C. albicans were inhibited by FEN, with an MIC of $0.39-1.56{\mu}g/mL$ and a MFC that ranged from 3.125 to $100{\mu}g/mL$. When C. albicans was exposed to FEN, the uptake of propidium iodide was increased, which indicated that membrane disruption is the probable mode of action of this compound. There was cells surface changes of C. albicans when observed under SEM.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.803-809
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• 2009

Recent evidence has revealed the occurrence of an apoptotic phenotype in Candida albicans that is inducible with environmental stresses such as acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and amphotericin B. In the present study, we found that the Chinese herbal medicine Baicalein (BE), which was one of the skullcapflavones, can induce apoptosis in C. albicans. The apoptotic effects of BE were detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC and DAPI, and it was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. After exposure to 4 ${\mu}g$/ml BE for 12 h, about 10% of C. albicans cells were apoptotic. Both the increasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulation of some redox-related genes (CAP1, SOD2, TRR1) were observed. Furthermore, we compared the survivals of CAP1 deleted, wild-type, and overexpressed strains and found that Cap1p attenuated BE-initiated cell death, which was coherent with a higher mRNA level of the CAP1 gene. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential of C. albicans cells changed significantly (p<0.001) upon BE treatment compared with control. Taken together, our results indicated that BE treatment induced apoptosis in C. albicans cells, and the apoptosis was associated with the breakdown of mitochondrial membrane potential.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.7
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• pp.217-220
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• 2018

Purpose: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic and immune-mediated disease, which is characterized by the progressive destruction of pancreatic beta cells. T1DM precipitates in genetically susceptible individuals through environmental factors. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of autoimmunity and intestinal colonization of Candida albicans on the development of T1DM. Methods: Forty-two patients newly diagnosed with T1DM and 42 healthy subjects were included in this monocentric study. The basic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. T1DM-, thyroid-, and celiac-associated antibodies were evaluated. Stool cultures for C. albicans were performed to assess whether or not gut integrity was impaired in patients with T1DM. Results: The evaluation of T1DM- and thyroid-associated antibodies showed that the prevalences of islet cell antibodies and antithyroperoxidase positivity were higher in the study patients than in the patients in the control group. Furthermore, the direct examination and culture of fresh stool samples revealed that 50% of the patients with T1DM and 23.8% of the control subjects had fungi (C. albicans). Conclusion: Through this study, we suggest that the presence of intestinal C. albicans colonization at the time of the diagnosis of T1DM may indicate impairment of normal intestinal microbiota. We also suggest that there may be a tendency of T1DM in patients with a high prevalence of intestinal C. albicans.