Effects of benzydamine and mouthwashes containing benzydamine on Candida albicans adhesion, biofilm formation, regrowth, and persistence

Objectives To assess the effects of benzydamine and mouthwashes (MoWs) containing benzydamine on different stages of Candida albicans biofilm: adhesion, formation, persistence, and regrowth (if perturbed). Materials and methods C. albicans CA1398, carrying the bioluminescence ACT1p-gLUC59 fusion product, was employed. Fungal cells were exposed for 1 ', 5 ', or 15 ' to 4 different benzydamine concentrations (0.075 to 0.6%) to 2 mouthwashes (MoWs) containing benzydamine and to a placebo MoW (without benzydamine). Treated cells were tested for adhesion (90 min) and biofilm formation (24-h assay). Next, 24- and 48-h-old biofilms were exposed to benzydamine and MoWs to assess regrowth and persistence, respectively. The effects of benzydamine, MoWs containing benzydamine, and placebo on different biofilm stages were quantified by bioluminescence assay and by the production of quorum sensing (QS) molecules. Results Benzydamine and MoWs containing benzydamine impaired C. albicans ability to adhere and form biofilm, counteracted C. albicans persistence and regrowth, and impaired a 48-h-old biofilm. Some of these effects paralleled with alterations in QS molecule secretion. Conclusions Our results show for the first time that benzydamine and MoWs containing benzydamine impair C. albicans capacity to form biofilm and counteract biofilm persistence and regrowth.