Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Oct 2024)
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Synthetic Indole-Hydrazono-Thiazolidinone Compounds on Candida Isolates from Oral Infections
Abstract
Background and purpose: Oral candidiasis is one of the most common infections affecting the mucosal surfaces and skin, specifically involving the oral mucosa. This disease is primarily caused by various species of Candida, including Candida albicans. Current treatments with polyene and azole antifungal drugs can affect patient cells, and there are also several limitations in treating fungal infections. These limitations include the shortage and high cost of antifungal drugs, their side effects, and the increasing resistance to azole drugs among Candida species. Given these challenges, researchers are exploring new antifungal drugs, particularly heterocyclic compounds. Heterocyclic compounds are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. Thiazolidinone derivatives can weaken the fungal and bacterial resistance caused by many antibiotics and drugs. Additionally, oxindoles show significant pharmacological and biological activity. Given these factors and the notable biological properties of thiazolidinones and oxindoles, their potential for developing new antifungal drugs has gained interest among researchers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of synthetic indole-hydrazono-thiazolidinones on Candida isolates obtained from oral infections. Materials and methods: Antifungal susceptibility testing was conducted on 100 clinical isolates of Candida, including 53 Candida albicans isolates, 22 Candida tropicalis isolates, 17 Candida parapsilosis isolates, and 8 Candida glabrata isolates. The susceptibility of these isolates to 4a and 4b indole-hydrazono-thiazolidinone derivatives and nystatin was assessed using the broth microdilution method, based on CLSI-M27S4 guidelines for determining drug sensitivity in yeasts. Species identification was performed using phenotypic chrome agar and genetic PCR-RFLP methods. The compounds and antifungal drugs were tested at a dilution range of 0.016–16 μg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was defined as the concentration that resulted in at least 50% inhibition of growth compared to the positive control group. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software, with a significance level of P<0.05. Results: The results showed a significant difference in MIC values between the indole-hydrazono-thiazolidinone derivatives 4a and 4b, and nystatin against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis. There was also a significant difference in the average MIC values of the derivatives. However, no significant difference was observed in MIC values between these derivatives and nystatin against Candida glabrata. Conclusion: The antifungal activity of the indole-hydrazono-thiazolidinone derivatives was lower than that of nystatin against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis. However, the activity against Candida glabrata was comparable to that of nystatin. Further studies on the cytotoxicity and side effects of these derivatives may pave the way for the development of new antifungal drugs and treatment options.
