The Repurposing of Acetylsalicylic Acid as a Photosensitiser to Inactivate the Growth of Cryptococcal Cells

Abstract

Photodynamic treatment (PDT) is often successful when used against aerobic microbes, given their natural susceptibility to oxidative damage. To this end, the current study aimed to explore the photodynamic action of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; aspirin, which is commonly used to treat non-infectious ailments), when administered to respiring cryptococcal cells. The treatment of cryptococcal cells, i.e., exposure to 0.5 or 1 mM of ASA in the presence of ultraviolet light (UVL) for 10 min, resulted in a significant (p p p CAP64, when compared to non-Rx cells. The results of the study highlight the potential use of ASA as a photosensitiser that is effective for controlling the growth of cryptococcal cells. Potentially, this treatment can also be used as an adjuvant, to complement and support the usage of current anti-microbial agents.

Keywords

• acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin)
• capsule
• <i>CAP64</i>
• <i>Cryptococcus</i>
• membrane potential (ΔΨM)
• photodynamic treatment