Antifungal Activity of Dexamethasone Against Fluconazole-Resistant <i>Candida Albicans</i> and its Activity Against Biofilms
Lisandra Juvêncio da Silva, Cecília Rocha da Silva, Lívia Gurgel do Amaral Valente Sá, Fátima DD Barroso, Thiago M Cândido, Helaine Almeida Queiroz, Lara Elloyse Almeida Moreira, Octavio V Baccallini, Bruno C. Cavalcanti, Jacilene Silva, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Manoel Odorico de Moraes, João B A de Neto, Hélio Vitoriano Nobre Júnior
Abstract
Objective: The present study investigated the antifungal action of dexamethasone disodium phosphate (Dex). Methodology: Susceptibility testing was performed using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute protocol; M27-A3, checkerboard test and biofilm were evaluated with two isolates of Candida albicans, hyphal production test, molecular docking analysis and flow cytometry analysis. Result: Dex and fluconazole (FLC) together had a synergistic effect. Mature biofilm was reduced when treated with Dex alone or in combination. Dex and FLC promoted a decrease in the production of hyphae and changes in the level of mitochondrial depolarization, increased generation of reactive oxygen species, loss of membrane integrity, increased phosphatidylserine externalization and molecular docking; there was interaction with ALS3 and SAP5 targets. Conclusion: Dex showed antifungal activity against FLC-resistant C. albicans strains.