Monolaurin and Candidiasis: Searching for a Biofilm Buster
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Monolaurin and
Candidiasis
What is Candidiasis?
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast called Candida. The most common Candida fungus that results in human infection is Candida albicans [Ref #1]. Candida colonizes on a healthy individual’s skin, or in the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts [Ref #2]. These tracts include the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina as possible locations for fungal growth [Ref #1]. At first, a Candida albicans infection can be asymptomatic, with the infected person experiencing no negative effects. However, certain changes, including in immunity and stress, within the host can lead to an overgrowth of the fungus which in turn can cause a number of different infections [Ref #2]. The symptoms that then occur depend on the location of the fungal infection.
Candidiasis in the Mouth, Throat, and Esophagus
Candida infections in the mouth or throat are referred to as “thrush” or oropharyngeal candidiasis. Typical symptoms include white patches on the tongue and inside of the mouth, loss of taste, and soreness. Candida infections in the esophagus are referred to as esophageal candidiasis or Candida esophagitis and symptoms include pain and difficulty swallowing. While thrush and Candia esophagitis are not common in healthy adults, it is important to take preventative measures such as maintaining proper oral hygiene, especially immediately after using inhaled corticosteroids, such as inhalers. [Ref #3]
Candidiasis in the Vagina
Vaginal candidiasis is most commonly known as a vaginal yeast infection. Symptoms include vaginal itching and pain or discomfort during urination. It is estimated that nearly 20% of women have asymptomatic candida growth inside their vaginas. Some women are more at risk of infections than others, such as pregnant or diabetic women. Preventative measures include wearing cotton underwear and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics. [Ref #4]
Invasive Candidasis
Invasive candidiasis is the most dangerous kind of candida infection. It can affect vital organs in the body such as the heart and brain, as well as a person’s blood and bones. When Candida infects the bloodstream it is referred to as candidemia. [Ref #5]
Candida and
Biofilms
Biofilm properties of Candida albicans
Antifungals are the most common method to treat Candida infections, however they are not always successful. This is due to the fact that many Candida albicans infections are resistant to antifungals due to the fungus’s use of biofilms.
Biofilms are “communities of adherent cells”, meaning that the individual fungal cells are joined together rather than free-floating. This makes them significantly more resistant to certain medications, such as antibiotics and antifungals and accounts for the ability of Candida infections to thrive and grow. [Ref #2] Read more on Busting Biofilms.
“To date, most studies of C. albicans have been carried out in suspension cultures; however, the medical impact of C. albicans (like that of many other microorganisms) depends on its ability to thrive as a biofilm, a closely packed community of cells. Biofilms are notorious for forming on implanted medical devices…which provide a surface and sanctuary for biofilm growth. C. albicans biofilms are intrinsically resistant to conventional antifungal therapeutics, the host immune system, and other environmental perturbations, making biofilm-based infections a significant clinical challenge.” [Ref #2]
Due to the challenge presented by the difficulty of eradicating Candida biofilms, scientists are looking into the efficacy of natural antifungals and biofilm busters such as monolaurin.
Candida albicans and
Monolaurin
What is Monolaurin?
Monolaurin is formed from the medium-chain fatty acid, lauric acid. It occurs naturally in coconut oil and mother’s breast milk but can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Studies suggest that monolaurin may have numerous health benefits. [Ref #6]
For more in-depth information on monolaurin, visit the Complete Guide to Monolaurin.
Monolaurin Studies and Candida albicans
Monolaurin has been tested in laboratory settings as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans and published results suggest it is effective. In 2016, an in vitro experiment showed that “monolaurin has antifungal capabilities against C. albicans, both as a biofilm buster and a susceptibility test” [Ref #7]. The study found that:
“Susceptibility tests against Candida albicans (MYA2876) showed inhibition of fungal growth at an MIC range of 62.5-125 μM while the minimum fungicidal concentration was in the range of 125-250 μM, which shows potential antifungal activity against C. albicans strain. In the biofilm assay model, 10x the concentrations of MIC and MFC (1250 μM and 2500 μM) were used due to the nature of the biofilm’s tenacity to eradicate. Biofilms treated with monolaurin showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the fungal load, as illustrated by the decrease in Log (CFU/ml) biofilm sample in comparison to the control groups. Similarly, the results obtained by fluorescence microscopy of the co-culture model (Figure 3) showed a large decrease in the viable C. albicans distribution among oral fibroblast cells after treatment with 125 μM 1-monolaurin.” [Ref #7]
In short, this study found that monolaurin demonstrated not only that monolaurin was an effective biofilm buster but also that it possessed antifungal properties, in vitro. Another study demonstrated this as well in an in vivo study, conducted using mice.
“It was found that with oral topical treatments of monolaurin (12.5 mmol/L) there was a significant reduction in the fungal load of the OC over a period of 5 d. At day 4-post infection, monolaurin was as effective in reducing the total photon flux as nystatin, the most commonly used oral antifungal used for treatment OC24).” [Ref #8]
This study discovered that monolaurin was as effective as the commonly prescribed antifungal. This, in addition to its documented biofilm busting capabilities, suggests that monolaurin may potentially inactivate Candida albicans. This same study also demonstrated monolaurin’s antifungal properties in an ex vivo experiment of oral candidiasis in mice.
"The overall microbiology analysis of the ex-vivo tongue samples confirmed the efficacy of monolaurin as a potent antifungal therapeutic agent, as there was a significant reduction in CFUs/mL/g of tongue tissue in the monolaurin treated group in comparison to the vehicle control group.… For the first time, the findings of this in vivo study, support monolaurin as a promising antifungal natural compound, which may translate into future clinical trials to test its efficacy in the treatment and/or the prevention of OC." [Ref #8]
Conclusion
These scientific studies suggest a fascinating relationship between monolaurin and its potential role as an antifungal agent against Candidiasis. In lab settings, monolaurin seems to possess both antifungal properties and potential as a biofilm buster. Through destroying C. albicans biofilms, monolaurin may help reduce resistance to medicinal antifungals. The potential for monolaurin as a treatment for candidiasis is certainly worth exploring.
Using Monolaurin Safely
As with all dietary supplements, monolaurin should be taken under the direction and supervision of a healthcare professional.
Shop Monolaurin
Looking to try monolaurin? Consider some of the products located on this external site: Shop Monolaurin.
References
“Candidiasis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nobile, Clarissa J, and Alexander D Johnson. “Candida Albicans Biofilms and Human Disease.” Annual Review of Microbiology, 2015.
“Candida Infections of the Mouth, Throat, and Esophagus.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Vaginal Candidiasis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Invasive Candidiasis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ezigbo, Veronica O., Mbaegbu Emmanuella A. “Extraction of Lauric Acid from Coconut Oil, Its Applications and Health Implications On Some Microorganisms. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology.” April, 2016.
Chen, Emily, et al. “In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of 1-Lauroyl-Rac-Glycerol on Candidaalbicans Biofilms.” Peer J Preprints, Jan. 2016.
Seleem, Dalia, et al. “In Vivo Antifungal Activity of Monolaurin against Candida Albicans Biofilms.” Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, Aug. 2018