Inhibitory Effects of Erythrosine/Curcumin Derivatives/Nano-Titanium Dioxide-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy on <i>Candida albicans</i>

• Main Authors: Kasama Kanpittaya, Aroon Teerakapong, Noppawan Phumala Morales, Doosadee Hormdee, Aroonsri Priprem, Wilawan Weera-archakul, Teerasak Damrongrungruang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: biofilm; erythrosine; curcumin derivatives; <i>Candida albicans</i>; photodynamic therapy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/9/2405

This study focuses on the role of photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. The photosensitizers were prepared in combinations of 110/220 µM erythrosine and/or 10/20 µM demethoxy/bisdemethoxy curcumin with/without 10% (<i>w/w</i>) nano-titanium dioxide. Irradiation was performed with a dental blue light in the 395–480 nm wavelength range, with a power density of 3200 mW/cm² and yield of 72 J/cm². The production of ROS and hydroxyl radical was investigated using an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer for each individual photosensitizer or in photosensitizer combinations. Subsequently, a PrestoBlue^® toxicity test of the gingival fibroblast cells was performed at 6 and 24 h on the eight highest ROS-generating photosensitizers containing curcumin derivatives and erythrosine 220 µM. Finally, the antifungal ability of 22 test photosensitizers, <i>Candida albicans</i> (ATCC 10231), were cultured in biofilm form at 37 °C for 48 h, then the colonies were counted in colony-forming units (CFU/mL) via the drop plate technique, and then the log reduction was calculated. The results showed that at 48 h the test photosensitizers could simultaneously produce both ROS types. All test photosensitizers demonstrated no toxicity on the fibroblast cells. In total, 18 test photosensitizers were able to inhibit <i>Candida albicans</i> similarly to nystatin. Conclusively, 20 µM bisdemethoxy curcumin + 220 µM erythrosine + 10% (<i>w/w</i>) nano-titanium dioxide exerted the highest inhibitory effect on <i>Candida albicans</i>.