Natural Sources as Innovative Solutions Against Fungal Biofilms.
Fungal cells are capable of adhering to biotic and abiotic surfaces and form biofilms containing one or more microbial species that are microbial reservoirs. These biofilms may cause chronic and acute infections. Fungal biofilms related to medical devices are particularly responsible for serious infections such as candidemia. Nowadays, only a few therapeutic agents have demonstrated activities against fungal biofilms in vitro and/or in vivo. So the discovery of new anti-biofilm molecules is definitely needed. In this context, biodiversity is a large source of original active compounds including some that have already proven effective in therapies such as antimicrobial compounds (antibacterial or antifungal agents). Bioactive metabolites from natural sources, useful for developing new anti-biofilm drugs, are of interest. In this chapter, the role of molecules isolated from plants, lichens, algae, microorganisms, or from animal or human origin in inhibition and/or dispersion of fungal biofilms (especially Candida and Aspergillus biofilms) is discussed. Some essential oils, phenolic compounds, saponins, peptides and proteins and alkaloids could be of particular interest in fighting fungal biofilms.
Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, F-86073, POITIERS, France. marion.girardot@univ-poitiers.fr.
Marion
M
Girardot
Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, F-86073, POITIERS, France.
Christine
C
Imbert
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D010936:Plant Extracts
Aspergillus; Bioactive metabolites; Biofilm; Candida; Natural substances