Antifungal and anti-biofilm activity of Dictyophora indusiata against Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans. Its biofilm formation is the main factor in increasing virulence and antifungal resistance. Dictyophora indusiata is a medicinal mushroom with various pharmaceutical effects. This work aims to determine the anticandidal activity of D. indusiata extracts using agar diffusion assay and broth microdilution method to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The inhibition of biofilm formation was measured by crystal violet staining, and the cytotoxicity of extracts was measured in HaCaT cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Only the hexane extract of the mushroom can reduce C. albicans growth with an MIC of 1 mg/mL. For anti-biofilm activity, hexane and methanol extracts at concentrations of 0.2-0.8 mg/mL and 0.4-0.8 mg/mL respectively significantly show 50-75% biofilm reduction in 24 hr (p<0.01). Cell toxicity is observed for the hexane extract when the concentration is 0.1 mg/mL (p<0.001) or higher, while methanol extract is less toxic to human keratinocyte cells.

Automated summary

This study found that extracts from Dictyophora indusiata have antifungal activity against Candida albicans and can inhibit biofilm formation. The hexane extract showed higher antimicrobial activity but also caused higher cell toxicity, while the methanol extract had lower toxicity to human keratinocyte cells.