Insect peptides as novel compounds against Candida spp. infections

Background: Candida spp. infections are increasing all over the world, as well as antifungal resistance, highlighting the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Previously, several in silico studies have identified insect peptides as potential antifungal drugs – BLAP-6 (from Blaps rhychopetera) and Gomesin (from Acanthoscurria gomesiana) against different fungal species. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of both peptides on Candida spp.. Methods: The evaluation was conducted using several methods, including disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) (EUCAST guidelines), and biofilm biomass quantification by crystal violet staining. Results: MIC and MBEC assays showed that Gomesin has potent antifungal activity at lower concentrations (270 mg/L), achieving total biofilm eradication for most species, except C. glabrata. BLAP-6 exhibited moderate antifungal effects, with some tolerance/resistance profiles observed. Conclusions: BLAP-6 and Gomesin are promising drug candidates suitable for the treatment of Candida spp. infections. Furthermore, some species showed some tolerance/resistance to BLAP-6; therefore, the study of mechanisms involved should be seen as an important future perspective.