Hydroquinones Including Tetrachlorohydroquinone Inhibit Candida albicans Biofilm Formation by Repressing Hyphae-Related Genes

Persistence in chronic infections by Candida albicans is due to its ability of biofilm formation that endures conventional antifungals and host immune systems. Hence, the inhibition of biofilm formation and virulence characteristics is another mean of addressing infections. This study is a distinctive one since 18 hydroquinone analogues were screened and TCHQ efficiently inhibited the biofilm formation by C. albicans with significantly changed expressional profile of hyphae-forming and biofilm-related genes. The antibiofilm efficacy was confirmed using a porcine skin model and chemical toxicity was investigated using plant seed germination and nematode models. Our findings reveal that TCHQ can efficiently control the C. albicans biofilms and virulence characteristics.