Objective:

2

To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of cinnamaldehyde (CA) on systemic

Candida albicans

infection in mice and to provide supportive data for the development of novel antifungal drugs.

Methods:

2

Ninety BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups according to a random number table: CA treatment group

fluconazole (positive control) group

and Tween saline (negative control) group

with 30 mice in each group. Initially

all groups of mice received consecutive intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/kg for 2 days

followed by intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mL

C. albicans

fungal suspension (conc

entration of 1.0×10

7

CFU/mL) on the 4th day

to establish an immunosuppressed systemic

Candida albicans

infection animal model. Subsequently

the mice were orally administered CA

fluconazole and Tween saline

at 240

240 mg/kg and 0.25 mL/kg respectively for 14 days. After a 48-h discontinuation of treatment

the liver

small intestine

and kidney tissues of mice were collected for fungal direct microscopic examination

culture

and histopathological examination. Additionally

renal tissues from each group of mice were collected for (1

3)-β-D-glucan detection. The survival status of mice in all groups was monitored for 14 days of drug administration.

Results:

2

The CA group exhibited a fungal clearance rate of

C. albicans

above 86.7% (26/30)

significantly higher than the fluconazole group (60.0%

18/30

P

<

0.01) and the Tween saline group (30.0%

9/30

P

<

0.01). Furthermore

histopathological examination in the CA group revealed the disappearance of inflammatory cells and near-normal restoration of tissue structure. The (1

3)-β-D-glucan detection value in the CA group (860.55±126.73 pg/mL) was significantly lower than that in the fluconazole group (1985.13±203.56 pg/mL

P

<

0.01) and the Tween saline group (5910.20±320.56 pg/mL

P

<

0.01). The mouse survival rate reached 90.0% (27/30)

higher than the fluconazole group (60.0%

18/30) and the Tween saline group (30.0%

9/30)

with a significant difference between the two groups (both

P

<

0.01).

Conclusions:

2

CA treatment exhibited significant therapeutic efficacy in mice with systemic

C. albicans

infection. Therefore

CA holds potential as a novel antifungal agent for targeted treatment of

C. albicans

infection.