Novel pH-responsive monomer inhibit Candida albicans via dual antifungal modes of action

Oral candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections that is usually caused by Candida albicans. Oral candidiasis can cause chronic pain or discomfort upon mastication, it can also be a life-threatening infection for immunocompromised individuals. Oral candidiasis treatment consists of the administration of conventional antifungal agents. Nonetheless, the efficiency of conventional antifungal agents is impaired by their adverse side effects and resistance. Moreover, high candida carriage and reduction of antifungal potency at acidic pH could be observed due to the acidophilic nature of C. albicans. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify novel low pH-effective antifungal agent. Herein, we reported a novel pH-responsive antifungal agent, DMAEM (dodecylmethylaminoethyl methacrylate), to prevent oral candidiasis development.