ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CURCUMIN CASPOFUNGIN COMBINATION AGAINST CANDIDA SPP. VIA APOPTOTIC INDUCTION

Abstract

Phytochemicals with drug combinations have led to the discovery of different therapeutics used in fighting off the different types of infections. In this study, I have investigated the synergetic antifungal effect of Curcumin and Caspafungin combination against C. albicans and C. glabrata by using a checkerboard microdilution assay. Apoptotic effects of curcumin and caspafungin concentrations were evaluated against C. albicans and C. glabrata by using flow cytometry via annexin V-propidium iodide binding capacity. Synergetic antifungal effect assessment was evaluated via flow cytometry by using checkerboard microdilution assay. Early and late apoptotic effects of curcumin and caspafungin combination (1000 and 1 mu g/mL) against C. albicans were observed as 8.1%, 77.4% respectively. Early and late apoptotic effects of curcumin and caspafungin combination (1000 and 1 mu g/mL) against C. glabrata were observed as 6.3%, 77.7% respectively. Apoptotic effects of 1 mu g/mL caspafungin and 1000 mu g/mL curcumin combinations were 85.5% and 84% against C. albicans and C. glabrata, respectively. Both Candida species showed a synergic effect, according to fractional inhibitory concentration index (FIC <= 0.5). Results revealed that the combination of curcumin and caspafungin exhibited stronger anticandidal activity than monotherapy.