Amphotericin B–copper(II) complex as a potential agent with higher antifungal activity against Candida albicans

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a polyene antibiotic produced by Streptomyces nodosus used for more than 50 years in the treatment of acute systemic fungal infections. It exhibits a broad spectrum of activity against fungal and protozoan pathogens with relatively rare resistance. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the utility of the AmB–Cu2+ complex as a potential compound with a high fungicidal activity at lower concentrations, compared with conventional AmB. It was hypothesized that insertion of copper ions into fungal cell membranes, together with the AmB–Cu2+ complex bypassing the natural homeostatic mechanisms of this element, may contribute to the increased fungicidal activity of AmB.The analysis of results indicates the increased antifungal activity of the AmB–Cu2+ complex against Candida albicans in comparison with the pure AmB and Fungizone. Additionally, it was stated that the increased antifungal activity of the AmB–Cu2+ complex is not the sum of the toxic effects of AmB and Cu2+ ions, but is a result of the unique structure of this compound.

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