Synergy of flavonoids with HDAC inhibitor: new approach to target Candida tropicalis biofilms.

Candida biofilms on various implanted medical devices and living tissues are serious concern in several hospital-acquired infections. The study was conducted to employ a new therapeutic strategy to inhibit the formation of Candida tropicalis biofilms. No significant antifungal or antibiofilm activity was observed when the sodium butyrate (SB), quercetin, and kaempferol were used as a lone drug. Significant decline (P<0·05) in biofilm formation was noted when sub-lethal concentration of SB (30 mM) was used in combination with the flavonoids (450 μg/ml). Z-stack analysis using 3D-confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) also showed substantial reduction in the biofilm thickness in treated glass slides. In conclusion, this is the first report to our knowledge on implementing a combination therapy using flavonoids and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor.