In vitro activity of farnesol against vaginal Lactobacillus spp.
OBJECTIVE
Farnesol, a quorum-sensing molecule in Candida albicans, can affect the growth of certain microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of farnesol against vaginal Lactobacillus spp., which play a crucial role in the maintenance of vaginal health.


METHODS
Growth and metabolic viability of vaginal Lactobacillus spp. incubated with different concentrations of farnesol were determined by measuring the optical density of the cultures and with the MTT assay. Morphology of the farnesol-treated cells was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope. In vitro adherence of vaginal Lactobacillus cells treated with farnesol was determined by co-incubating with vaginal epithelial cells (VECs).


RESULTS
The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of farnesol for vaginal Lactobacillus spp. was 1500μM. No morphological changes were observed when the farnesol-treated Lactobacillus cells were compared with farnesol-free cells, and 100μM farnesol would reduce the adherence of vaginal Lactobacillus to VECs.


CONCLUSIONS
Farnesol acted as a potential antimicrobial agent, had little impact on the growth, metabolism, and cytomorphology of the vaginal Lactobacillus spp.; however, it affected their adhering capacity to VECs. The safety of farnesol as an adjuvant for antimicrobial agents during the treatment of vaginitis needs to be studied further.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
Fengjuan
F
Wang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China. Electronic address: 23662161@qq.com.
Zhaohui
Z
Liu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
Dai
D
Zhang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
Xiaoxi
X
Niu
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D005204:Farnesol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005204:Farnesol
Antimicrobial effect; Farnesol; Infectious disease; Quorum sensing; Vaginal Lactobacillus