<i>Candida albicans</i> Biofilm Inhibition by Two <i>Vaccinium macrocarpon</i> (Cranberry) Urinary Metabolites: 5-(3′,4′-DihydroxyPhenyl)-γ-Valerolactone and 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid

• Main Authors: Emerenziana Ottaviano, Giovanna Baron, Laura Fumagalli, Jessica Leite, Elisa Adele Colombo, Angelica Artasensi, Giancarlo Aldini, Elisa Borghi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: <i>Candida albicans</i>; cranberry; biofilm; <i>HWP1</i>
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/7/1492

<i>Candida</i> spp. are pathobionts, as they can switch from commensals to pathogens, responsible for a variety of pathological processes. Adhesion to surfaces, morphological switch and biofilm-forming ability are the recognized virulence factors promoting yeast virulence. Sessile lifestyle also favors fungal persistence and antifungal tolerance. In this study, we investigated, in vitro, the efficacy of two urinary cranberry metabolites, 5-(3′,4′-dihydroxy phenyl)-γ-valerolactone (VAL) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA), in inhibiting <i>C. albicans</i> adhesion and biofilm formation. Both the reference strain SC5314 and clinical isolates were used. We evaluated biomass reduction, by confocal microscopy and crystal violet assay, and the possible mechanisms mediating their inhibitory effects. Both VAL and 4-HBA were able to interfere with the yeast adhesion, by modulating the expression of key genes, <i>HWP1</i> and <i>ALS3</i>. A significant dose-dependent reduction in biofilm biomass and metabolic activity was also recorded. Our data showed that the two cranberry metabolites VAL and 4-HBA could pave the way for drug development, for targeting the very early phases of biofilm formation and for preventing genitourinary <i>Candida</i> infections.