Therapeutic efficacy of halocidin-derived peptide HG1 in a mouse model of Candida albicans oral infection

HG1 is an antimicrobial peptide derived from halocidin, which is naturally found in tunicates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of HG1 as a novel antifungal agent for treating oral candidiasis. The pharmacokinetic properties of HG1 were explored in mice, which were orally administered a single dose of HG1. Anti-Candida activity of HG1 was investigated in a time-dependent manner in the presence of saliva obtained from healthy donors or patients with oral candidiasis. In addition, HG1 was evaluated for its anti-Candida activity in the presence of proteins extracted from the culture supernatant of Candida albicans. The therapeutic potential in vivo and ex vivo of HG1 against oral candidiasis was investigated using a mouse model of oral candidiasis. Our data showed that absorption of HG1 into the blood did not occur following oral administration. In addition, HG1 exerted marked anti-Candida activity after short-term incubation at a concentration of 20 mg/L and it also caused a considerable reduction in fungal burden in the oral candidiasis mouse model when treated with 1 mg or 0.5 mg. This study suggests that HG1, as a novel component of mouthwash, might become an alternative antifungal agent to conventional drugs used to manage oral candidiasis.