Enhancing Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy with Phenothiazinium Dyes and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Against Candida Albicans at Various Growth Stages

Viscous methylene blue formulation for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in dentistry

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising strategy to combat resistant microbial strains. However, despite its high in vitro efficacy, clinical outcomes often fall short, largely due to insufficient retention of the photosensitizer (PS) at the target site. Factors such as salivary flow and PS aggregation significantly hinder the effectiveness of aPDT. This study presents the development of a high-viscosity methylene blue (MB) formulation tailored for dental aPDT applications. The increased viscosity aims to enhance PS retention at the treatment site, while carefully selected components address MB aggregation, ultimately improving the clinical efficacy of the therapy. Key formulation strategies included the incorporation of a surfactant, anionic polymers, an acidic pH, and reduced MB concentrations to effectively mitigate aggregation. Stability testing demonstrated that the formulation preserved its organoleptic properties, pH, and MB content over 1 year. Although the formulation exhibited lower MB uptake in Candida albicans biofilms compared to aqueous MB, this did not compromise its antimicrobial activity. In vitro aPDT assays showed comparable efficacy between MB in water and the high-viscosity formulation. These findings highlight the potential of the developed viscous MB formulation to enhance the practicality and clinical success of aPDT in dentistry, without compromising its therapeutic effectiveness.

Evaluation of 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue nanoencapsulation using rhamnolipid nanoparticles to potentiate the Photodynamic Therapy technique in Candida albicans: In vitro study

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, various functional nanomaterials have shown exciting potential in biomedical areas such as drug delivery, antitumor, and antibacterial therapy. These nanomaterials improve the stability and selectivity of loaded drugs, reduce drug-induced side effects, realize controlled and targeted drug release, and increase therapeutic efficacy. The increased resistance to antifungal microbicides in medical practice and their side effects stimulate interest in new therapies, such as Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which do not generate resistance in microorganisms and effectively control the pathology. The present study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the efficacy of photodynamic therapy on Candida albicans using 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue (DMMB) as photosensitizer, red LED (λ630), and nanoencapsulation of DMMB (RL-NPs/DMMB) using rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to evaluate if there is better performance of DMMB + RL particles compared to DMMB alone via the characterization of DMMB + RL and colony forming count. The tests were carried out across six experimental groups (Control, DMMB, RL-NPs, RL-NPs/DMMB, PDT and PDT + RL-NPs/DMMB) using in the groups with nanoparticles, DMMB (750 ng/mL) encapsulated with rhamnolipids in a 1:1 ratio, the light source consisted of a prototype built with a set of red LEDs with an energy density of 20 J/cm2. The results showed that applying PDT combined with encapsulation (RL-NPs/DMMB) was a more practical approach to inhibit Candida albicans (2 log reduction) than conventional applications, with a possible clinical application protocol.

Different wavelengths of laser: are they significant for treatment of denture stomatitis?: an in-vitro study

BACKGROUND

Denture stomatitis (DS) is an inflammatory disorder that affects the mucosal surface underneath the dentures and frequently causes oral mucosal irritation, discomfort, and altered taste perception, which prevents people from consuming enough nutrients. One of the main causes of DS is an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans (C. albicans). A possible alternative treatment for Candida infections is thought to be laser therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate how different wavelengths of laser would affect growth and pathogenic properties of Candida albicans.

METHODS

A concentration of 106 viable cells/ml of Candida albicans were used in the preparation process. Four groups were created from the specimens. Culturing of the control group was completed with no intervention. The other 3 groups received laser radiation for 60 seconds at a power of 1W. The 2nd and 3rd groups were irradiated with diode laser at a wavelength of 940 nm and 980 nm respectively. The 4th group was irradiated with Nd-YAG laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Turbidimetric growth was defined as variations in the optical density of fungal growth. These measures were made at three different times: baseline, 48 hours, and 72 hours.

RESULTS

In both groups of diode laser, the growth of Candida albicans showed no remarkable differences at baseline, after 48 and 72 hours using a power of 1 W and duration of 60 seconds. The Nd-YAG group showed significant increase in optical density after 48 hrs then significant decrease after 72 hrs. The optical density values in the control group showed no notable difference between the control and diode study groups at different time periods. However, the Nd:YAG group showed a statistically significant difference compared to the control and the 2 diode laser groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Different laser parameters have a different effect on growth and pathogenic properties of Candida albicans. Diode laser therapy with wavelengths 940 and 980 nm used in continuous mode with power of 1 W for duration of 60 seconds can result in proliferation of Candida albicans instead of destroying them. Nd:YAG laser, used in pulsed mode, with power of 1 W for a duration of 60 seconds can be used to destroy Candida albicans and therefore, can be used as an effective treatment for denture stomatitis.