Nanoencapsulated hypericin in P-123 associated with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of dermatophytosis

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2021-02, Vol.215, p.112103, Article 112103
• Main Authors: Galinari, Camila Barros, Conrado, Pollyanna Cristina Vincenzi, Arita, Glaucia Sayuri, Mosca, Valéria Aparecida Baquetti, Melo, Raquel Cabral, Bianchi, Tiago de Paula, Faria, Daniella Renata, Sakita, Karina Mayumi, Malacarne, Luis Carlos, Gonçalves, Renato Sonchini, Pereira, Paulo Cesar de Souza, Cesar, Gabriel Batista, Caetano, Wilker, de Souza, Monique, da Silva Palácios, Raquel, Baesso, Mauro Luciano, Svidzinski, Terezinha Inez Estivalet, Cotica, Érika Seki Kioshima, Bonfim-Mendonça, Patrícia de Souza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Assaying; Biocompatibility; Cytokines; Dermatomycosis; Fungal infections; Fungicides; Histopathology; Hypericin; In vivo methods and tests; Infections; Inflammation; Light sources; Microsporum canis; Photoacoustic spectroscopy; Photodynamic therapy; Planktonic cells; Reduction; Skin; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; Statistical analysis; Tinea capitis; Tinea corporis; Tissue analysis; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.112103

The antifungal application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely explored. According to superficial nature of tinea capitis and the facility of application of light sources, the use of nanoencapsulated hypericin in P-123 associated with PDT (P123-Hy-PDT) has been a poweful tool to treat this pathology. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of P123-Hy-PDT against planktonic cells and in a murine model of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis. In vitro antifungal susceptibility and in vivo efficiency tests were performed, including a skin toxicity assay, analysis of clinical signs by evaluating score, and photoacoustic spectroscopy. In addition, tissue analyses by histopathology and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as quantitative and qualitative antifungal assays, were employed. The in vitro assays demonstrated antifungal susceptibility with 6.25 and 12.5 μmol/L P123-Hy-PDI; these experiments are the first that have used this treatment of animals. P123-Hyp-mediated PDT showed neither skin nor biochemical alteration in vivo; it was safe for dermatophytosis treatment. Additionally, the treatment revealed rapid improvement in clinical signs at the site of infection after only three treatment sessions, with a clinical score confirmed by photoacoustic spectroscopy. The mycological reduction occurred after six treatment sessions, with a statistically significant decrease compared with untreated infected animals. These findings showed that P123-Hy-PDT restored tissue damage caused by infection, a phenomenon confirmed by histopathological analysis and proinflammatory cytokine levels. Our results reveal for the first time that P123-Hy-PDT is a promising treatment for tinea capitis and tinea corporis caused by M. canis, because it showed rapid clinical improvement and mycological reduction without causing toxicity. [Display omitted] •Nanoencapsulated hypericin in P-123 with PDT is proposed as a new alternative for the treatment of dermatophytosis;•Acceptable therapy, phototoxic-free skin in the mice treated with P123-Hy-PDT;•Rapid improvement in classic clinical signs of dermatophytosis;•Mycological viability reduction after six P123-Hy-PDT sessions.