Anti-Candida activity of flavonoids - an overview

Abstract

Flavonoids are a group of plant polyphenols which received an increased attention during the recent past due to their important antimicrobial activities. Those compounds could be a reliable source of new antifungals, used to efficiently control infections caused by pathogenic fungi such as Candida spp. Candida species represents a leading cause of mortality all around the world, posing a serious threat to medical systems. Therefore, finding new compounds with antifungal activity for treatment of Candida infections is a real challenge of modern medicine. This review focuses on the antifungal activity of natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic flavonoids against the most prevalent pathogenic Candida species. In addition, the review outlines the mechanisms of action and the possible use of flavonoids as anti-virulence agents to withstand Candida pathogenicity and antifungal resistance.