Variable antifungal activity of curcumin against planktonic and biofilm phase of different candida species

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of curcumin against 2 strains of Candida albicans (ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate – JY strain) and 1 isolate each of 3 nonalbicans – Candida species [Candida parapsilosis (ATCC 22019), C. glabrata (ATCC 90030), and C. dublieniensis (MYA 646)]. Materials and Methods: Planktonic MIC of the 4 Candida species was determined using micro broth dilution assay according to CLSI M27-A3 criteria. The biofilm development and sensitivity assay were performed with the 2 C. albicans strains. Results: Curcumin at high concentrations (0.1–2 mg/mL) was effective in inhibiting planktonic organisms of all the 5 tested Candida strains. The planktonic phase and the biofilm phase of C. albicans ATCC 90028 exhibited similar MIC values for curcumin (0.5 mg/mL). Both curcumin and fluconazole were ineffective against the mature biofilms of JY strain. Conclusion: Our results reported here for the first time, in particular for the biofilm state of C. albicans, imply that curcumin a natural product could be used as a therapeutic alternative to conventional antifungals although further investigations are required to evaluate its potential.

Keywords

• antifungal agents
• candida
• curcumin
• fluconazole