Antibacterial and antifungal activity of curcumin and methylene blue associated with laser on bacterial and fungal strains

Objective:To analyze the effect of methylene blue and 10% curcumin in fungi and bacteria through an in vitrostudy using photodynamic therapy (PDT). Methods:Curcumin and methylene blue were photosensitized by a Photon Lase III laser applied for 90 s in a dark environment within a laminar flow chamber. Enterococcus faecalisand Candida albicans strains were cultured and standardized.Then, a minimum inhibitoryconcentration (MIC) assay was conducted for these photosensitizers, with concentration variations and incubation to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Results:With PDT, Curcumin had significant antibacterial activity against E. faecalis (MIC = 250 µg/mL).In contrast, methylene blue had antibacterial activity against E. faecalis (MIC < 12.5 µg/mL with PDT) and antifungal activity against C. albicans (MIC <12.5 µg/mL with or without PDT).Both agents showed greater efficacy in the presence of the laser.The results suggest that curcumin and methylene blue associated with laser may effectively treat microbial infections. Conclusion:Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using these agents in animal and human models and theireffectiveness against different bacterial and fungal strains.

PATHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON ACUTE AND SUBACUTE TOXICITY OF PHOTOCARCINORIN(PsD-OO7)IN DOGS / 第二军医大学学报

Preclinical toxicology of PsD-007(a new photosensitizer prepared in our coll-ege)was studied.Pathological observations were performed on major organs of the toxic dogs including liver, kidneys, myocardium, lungs, spleen, stomach, intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, urinary bladder, prostata, testes, ovary, adrenals, pituitary gland, thyroid and brain.Focal balloning degeneration of hepatic cells occurred in lower dose groups, and degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes and proximal convoluted tubular epithelial cells of kidney, and edema of brain in higher dose groups were observed in acute toxicity testing.The hepatocytes were normal, but hyperplasia, swelling and vacuoles within the cytoplasm of the Kupffers cells in liver, necrosis of tubules of kidney and edema of brain in higher dose groups were found in subacute testing. These damages were reversible within 4 weeks except in higher dose groups, and their morphologic severity was dose-related.The results show that the liver and kidney may be the main target organs of toxicity of PsD, and the detections of hepatic and renal functions may be useful to guard against its toxic effects during clinical use.