Antibiofilm Activity and Biocompatibility of Temporin-SHa: A Promising Antimicrobial Peptide for Control of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) Hylin−a1, KR−12-a5, and Temporin-SHa in Candida albicans as well as the biocompatibility of keratinocytes spontaneously immortalized (NOK-si) and human gingival fibroblasts (FGH) cells. Initially, the susceptible (CaS—ATCC 90028) and fluconazole-resistant (CaR—ATCC 96901) C. albicans strains were grown to evaluate the effect of each AMP in planktonic culture, biofilm, and biocompatibility on oral cells. Among the AMPs evaluated, temporin−SHa showed the most promising results. After 24 h of Temporin-SHa exposure, the survival curve results showed that CaS and CaR suspensions reduced 72% and 70% of cell viability compared to the control group. The minimum inhibitory/fungicide concentrations (MIC and MFC) showed that Temporin−SHa was able to reduce ≥50% at ≥256 µg/mL for both strains. The inhibition of biofilm formation, efficacy against biofilm formation, and total biomass assays were performed until 48 h of biofilm maturation, and Temporin-SHa was able to reduce ≥50% of CaS and CaR growth. Furthermore, Temporin−SHa (512 µg/mL) was classified as non-cytotoxic and slightly cytotoxic for NOK-si and FGH, respectively. Temporin−SHa demonstrated an anti-biofilm effect against CaS and CaR and was biocompatible with NOK-si and FGH oral cells in monolayer.