Lactoferrin Solution as a New Natural Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy Against Oral <i>Candida</i> spp. Multidrug-Resistant Isolates: A Preliminary In Vitro Study
Serious oral infections are frequently caused by Candida species, which have lately demonstrated resistance to antifungal medications. As a result, new therapeutic strategies, like photodynamic therapy (PDT), are desperately needed. Lactoferrin (LF), a salivary enzyme, is a natural protein that bind...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1255 |
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| Summary: | Serious oral infections are frequently caused by Candida species, which have lately demonstrated resistance to antifungal medications. As a result, new therapeutic strategies, like photodynamic therapy (PDT), are desperately needed. Lactoferrin (LF), a salivary enzyme, is a natural protein that binds iron and has antifungal properties. Given its chemical structure and light absorption at 310–350 nm, LF appears to be a good photosensitizer in a PDT process for treating oral candidiasis. The purpose of this work was to assess the effectiveness of lactoferrin (LF) as a photosensitizer (PS) in photodynamic treatment (PDT) against oral multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates of <i>Candida</i> spp. using an in vitro investigation. For this in vitro investigation, oral MDR isolates of <i>Candida albicans</i>, <i>Candida kruseii</i>, and <i>Candida glabrata</i> were employed. Using a Kirby–Bauer test (Eucast protocol), a solution of 20 mg of bovine lactoferrin dissolved in 1 mL of Sabouraud’s broth was tested in four different experimental combinations: (i) the solution as it is; (ii) the solution activated with 3% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>; (iii) the solution activated by light at 310–350 nm; and (iv) the solution activated with both 3% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and light at 310–350 nm. A control group and one with only H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> were also tested. After that, the Petri plates were incubated for 48 h at 37 °C. With inhibitory halos ranging from 30 to 40 mm for all <i>Candida</i> spp. MDR analyzed, group (iv) displayed the greatest results. H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> + lactoferrin-based solutions are thought to be potential PS in PDT for MDR <i>Candida</i> spp. eradication. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-2607 |