Anti-Candidal Activity of the Parasitic Plant <i>Orobanche crenata</i> Forssk
Floriana D’Angeli,
Fiorella Guadagni,
Carlo Genovese,
Daria Nicolosi,
Angela Trovato Salinaro,
Mariarita Spampinato,
Giuliana Mannino,
Debora Lo Furno,
Giulio Petronio Petronio,
Simone Ronsisvalle,
Federica Sipala,
Luca Falzone,
Vittorio Calabrese
Affiliations
Floriana D’Angeli
Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
Fiorella Guadagni
Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
Carlo Genovese
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, “Kore” University of Enna, Contrada Santa Panasia, 94100 Enna, Italy
Daria Nicolosi
Nacture S.r.l, Spin-Off University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Angela Trovato Salinaro
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Mariarita Spampinato
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Giuliana Mannino
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Debora Lo Furno
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Giulio Petronio Petronio
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, University of Molise, Via Francesco de Sanctis 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Simone Ronsisvalle
Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Federica Sipala
Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Luca Falzone
Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Vittorio Calabrese
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) are part of the human microbiome. However, they possess numerous virulence factors, which confer them the ability to cause both local and systemic infections. Candidiasis can involve multiple organs, including the eye. In the present study, we investigated the anti-candidal activity and the re-epithelizing effect of Orobanche crenata leaf extract (OCLE). By the microdilution method, we demonstrated an inhibitory effect of OCLE on both C. albicans and C. glabrata growth. By crystal violet and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, we showed the ability of OCLE to inhibit the biofilm formation and the viability of yeast cells, respectively. By germ tube and adhesion assays, we proved the capacity of OCLE to affect the morphological transition of C. albicans and the adhesion of both pathogens to human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19), respectively. Besides, by MTT and wound healing assay, we evaluated the cytotoxic and re-epithelizing effects of OCLE on ARPE-19. Finally, the Folin–Ciocalteu and the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed a high content of phenols and the presence of several bioactive molecules in the extract. Our results highlighted new properties of O. crenata, useful in the control of Candida infections.
