Antibiofilm activity of cationic carbosilane BD132 dendron and its synergistic effect with amphotericin B against Candida spp.

The BD132 is a cationic carbosilane dendron containing peripheral ammonium groups, which impairs antimicrobial properties, and the chaperone 4-phenylbutyrate, with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Its in vitro activity was evaluated against biofilm formation and against established biofilms in Candida albicans and Nakaseomyces glabratus (former named Candida glabrata). In addition, the BD132 dendron was used in combination with amphotericin B against both species. Its cytotoxicity was evaluated using HeLa cells. Our data showed that BD132 dendron was an excellent compound that prevented biofilm formation. The Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration was 16 mg/L for N. glabratus and 32 mg/L for C. albicans, both concentrations were not cytotoxic. Furthermore, in the studies against established biofilms, the dendron was effective eradicating them. Experiments showed that the combination of the dendron with amphotericin B improved the activity of both by reducing the effective concentration of both compounds required to obtain the same results as when used individually. Therefore, the BD132 dendron is a very interesting compound that exhibits low cytotoxicity at active concentrations that prevent the formation of biofilms of these microorganisms. In addition, these results suggest that the BD132 dendron may have great benefits in the development of antifungal agents.