Impact of oleuropein on Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus adhesion and its mediated toxicity in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

Samira  Karzani; Aghil  Sharifzadeh; Bahar  Nayeri-Fasaei; Ali Reza  Khosravi; Jalal  Hassan; Aram  Sharifi; Ali Pourshaban  Shahrestani

doi:10.18502/ijm.v17i2.18390

Samira Karzani Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Aghil Sharifzadeh Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Bahar Nayeri-Fasaei Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Ali Reza Khosravi Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Jalal Hassan Department of Comparative Bioscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Aram Sharifi Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
Ali Pourshaban Shahrestani Department of Comparative Bioscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v17i2.18390

Keywords: Oleuropein; Candida albicans; Staphylococcus aureus; Adhesion; Biofilm

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance and biofilm-associated infections poses signif- icant challenges in clinical settings. This study investigates the antimicrobial and anti-adhesive properties of oleuropein, a compound derived from olive leaves, against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on Candida albicans (fluconazole-resistant/susceptible) and Staphylo- coccus aureus (methicillin-resistant/susceptible). The antifungal, antibacterial, anti-adhesion, and cell surface hydrophobic- ity (CSH) effects of oleuropein were evaluated. The impact of oleuropein on germ tube formation (GTF) in C. albicans was assessed. Finally, the toxicity of oleuropein was evaluated in zebrafish embryos.

Results: Oleuropein exhibited MIC values of 10 mg/ml for C. albicans and 5 mg/ml for S. aureus. It significantly (P< 0.05) reduced the adhesion of both microorganisms in a dose-dependent manner, with inhibition percentages of 78.43% and 75.91% for C. albicans and S. aureus, respectively. Additionally, oleuropein reduced the CSH of C. albicans, indicating its potential to interfere with adhesion mechanisms. In addition, oleuropein exhibited inhibition of GTF in C. albicans.

Conclusion: Oleuropein demonstrates significant antimicrobial and anti-adhesive properties against C. albicans and S. au- reus, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing biofilm-related infections. However, careful dosage man- agement is crucial due to its observed toxicity at higher concentrations.