Evaluation of satanin 1 as a potential antifungal drug to treat Malassezia infections

Abstract

Malassezia is a fungal genus that is part of the skin's normal mycobiota but can also cause various diseases. The emergence of resistance to antimicrobial agents in several microorganisms, including Malassezia species, has led to the exploration of new therapeutic alternatives such as antimicrobial peptides. This study aimed to investigate the effect of satanin 1, a recently identified antimicrobial peptide, against Malassezia using broth microdilution assays, SEM microscopy, and a Galleria mellonella infection model. Results showed that the MIC of satanin 1 against Malassezia ranged from 50 to 12.5 µg/mL and it works by affecting the fungal cell surface. Nonetheless, satanin 1 did not improve the survival of G. mellonella in the infection model, possibly due to the low stability of the peptide in the larvae; however, this might be addressed by modifying the peptide's structure to enhance its stability and efficacy. Thus, continued investigation into new alternative therapies, like antimicrobial peptides, is crucial to combat the increasing threat of antifungal resistant species.