Photochemical inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum by different compoundings of curcumin

Summary

Background

Recently we had shown that conidia-derived growth of many dermatophytes can be inhibited by curcumin plus exposure to visible light.

Objectives

This method of photo inactivation should be developed further aiming for an option to stop mycelial growth in superficial tinea.

Methods

Wells of microtiter plates were inoculated with either mycelial or conidial elements collected from 5 strains of T. rubrum. Then either micellar curcumin or curcumin dissolved with DMSO was added and after 20 min the wells were filled up with Sabouraud broth.

Thereafter the assays were irradiated once with visible light (wave length 420 nm, 20 J/cm²) and fungal growth was monitored photometrically.

Results

Identical effects were measured with conidia and mycelial elements of all 5 T. rubrum strains. Curcumin dissolved with DMSO plus irradiation had a marked dose-dependent inhibitory effect on fungal growth that was almost complete with 5.0 mg/l (p<0.01) over a period of 9 days. In contrast, the same procedure with micellar curcumin had no inhibitory effect on growth obtained from conidia or mycelial elements.

Conclusions

Mycelial elements of T.rubrum and its conidia are equally sensitive to photochemical inactivation with curcumin and the galenic compounding of curcumin is essential to achieve this photochemical effect.

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