title: In vitro fungicidal photodynamic effect of hypericin on Candida species.
abstract: Hypericin is a natural photosensitizer considered for the new generation of photodynamic therapy (PDT) drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fungicidal effect of hypericin PDT on various Candida spp., assessing its photocytotoxicity to keratinocytes (HaCaT) and dermal fibroblasts (hNDF) to determine possible side effects. A 3 log fungicidal effect was observed at 0.5 McFarland for two Candida albicans strains, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei with hypericin concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 and 40 μm, respectively, at a fluence of 18 J cm(-2) (LED lamp emitting at 602 ± 10 nm). To obtain a 6 log reduction, significantly higher hypericin concentrations and light doses were needed (C. albicans 5 μM, C. parapsilosis 320 μM and C. krusei 320 μM; light dose 37 J cm(-2)). Keratinocytes and fibroblasts can be preserved by keeping the hypericin concentration below 1 μm and the light dose below 37 J cm(-2). C. albicans appears to be suitable for treatment with hypericin PDT without significant damage to cutaneous cells.
authors: IIS Aragón, Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Rezusta
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: López-Chicón
authors: Manuel P
authors: MP
authors: Paz-Cristobal
authors: Mireia
authors: M
authors: Alemany-Ribes
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Royo-Díez
authors: Montserrat
authors: M
authors: Agut
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Semino
authors: Santi
authors: S
authors: Nonell
authors: Ma Jose
authors: MJ
authors: Revillo
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Aspiroz
authors: Yolanda
authors: Y
authors: Gilaberte
mesh_terms: D000873:Anthracenes; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010569:Perylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D010569:Perylene; C004965:hypericin