title: In vitro fungicidal photodynamic effect of hypericin on Trichophyton spp.
abstract: Hypericin is a natural photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy (PDT), which has shown in vitro antifungal effect against Candida spp. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fungicidal effect of hypericin-PDT on dermatophytes. Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains were incubated with different concentrations of hypericin for different times and exposed to light-emitting diode lamp (602 ± 10 nm, 10.3 mW cm(-2), and fluence 37 J cm(-2)). Using the optimal incubation time, 60 min, a 3-log fungicidal effect was achieved with hypericin concentration ranges of 10-20 μM for T. rubrum and 20-50 μM for T. mentagrophytes (p = 0.95). Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed the localization of hypericin inside the dermatophytes diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm of conidia and hyphae and outside the nucleus. In conclusion, hypericin-PDT has a fungicidal effect in vitro on dermatophytes. Hypericin seems to be a promising photosensitizer to treat localized dermatophytic infections such as tinea pedis and onychomycosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza University, Paseo Isabel la Católica 1-3, IIS Aragón, 50009, Saragossa, Spain, pablodelapazcristobal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Manuel Pablo
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Paz-Cristobal
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gilaberte
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alejandre
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.forename: M José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Revillo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezusta
mesh_terms: D000873:Anthracenes; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D010569:Perylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D010569:Perylene; C004965:hypericin