# Acridine Derivatives as Antifungal and Antivirulence Agents Against Candida albicans

## TL;DR

This paper explores acridine derivatives as potential antifungal agents against Candida albicans, focusing on their ability to inhibit biofilm formation and virulence.

## Contribution

The study identifies acridine-4-carboxylic acid as a promising scaffold for antifungal drugs targeting biofilm formation and virulence in Candida.

## Key findings

- Acridine-4-carboxylic acid significantly inhibits biofilm formation in Candida albicans at 10 µg/mL.
- The compound shows low toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans and plant models.
- It attenuates filamentation and cell aggregation in a fluconazole-resistant Candida strain.

## Abstract

Candida albicans is a clinically important fungal pathogen capable of causing both superficial and systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. A key factor contributing to its pathogenicity is its ability to form biofilms, structured microbial communities that confer significant resistance to conventional antifungal therapies. Addressing this challenge, we explored the antivirulence potential of acridine derivatives, a class of heterocyclic aromatic compounds known for their diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, antitumor, and antiparasitic properties. In this study, a series of acridine derivatives was screened against C. albicans biofilms, revealing notable inhibitory activity and highlighting their potential as scaffolds for the development of novel antifungal agents. Among the tested compounds, acridine-4-carboxylic acid demonstrated the most promising activity, significantly inhibiting the biofilm formation at 10 µg/mL without affecting planktonic cell growth, and with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 60 µg/mL. Furthermore, it attenuated filamentation and cell aggregation in a fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strain. Toxicity assessments using Caenorhabditis elegans and plant models supported its low-toxicity profile. These findings highlight the potential of acridine-based scaffolds, particularly acridine-4-carboxylic acid, as lead structures for the development of therapeutics targeting both fungal growth and biofilm formation in Candida albicans infections.