{
  "abstract": "Introduction\n\nCandida-associated stomatitis is a common oral mucosal condition, particularly among denture wearers, and is closely associated with persistent Candida albicans biofilms on denture surfaces. ZnPc(Lys)₅ is an amphiphilic phthalocyanine-peptide nanomaterial that has previously been shown to form nanoscale supramolecular assemblies in aqueous environments. This study evaluated the efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in reducing denture-associated Candida biofilms and alleviating associated mucosal inflammation.Methods\n\nCandida albicans suspensions were cultured in vitro, and biofilms were formed on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a common denture base material. The antifungal effects of different concentrations of ZnPc(Lys)₅ combined with aPDT were assessed against both planktonic Candida and biofilms. Biofilm structural changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the effects on PMMA physical properties (microhardness [HV] and surface roughness [Ra]) were analyzed. Additionally, a mouse model of Candida-associated stomatitis was used to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antifungal efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT following repeated applications (three treatments over 5 days).Results\n\nZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated aPDT exerted a significant concentration-dependent fungicidal effect on planktonic C. albicans, with a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 25 μM and no observed dark toxicity. Against mature biofilms, the 50 μM aPDT treatment achieved a reduction of approximately 96% in recoverable viable biofilm-associated cells (P < 0.0001), which was comparable to the efficacy of the commercial cleanser Polident (P > 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed significant disruption of biofilm architecture, while no significant alterations in PMMA microhardness or surface roughness were observed (P > 0.05). In vivo, repeated applications of ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT significantly reduced epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy comparable to nystatin.Conclusion\n\nZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT demonstrated significant antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo without compromising PMMA integrity. These findings support ZnPc(Lys)₅ as a promising photosensitizer for denture-surface biofilm control and mucosal inflammation mitigation, warranting further investigation under extended or multi-session clinical protocols.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Clinical Research Center for Oral Tissue Deficiency Diseases of Fujian Province and Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.",
    "Institute of Stomatology and Laboratory of Oral Tissue Engineering, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China.",
    "Department of Stomatology, Cangshan Hospital, the 900Th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, China.",
    "College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Danlin Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Fang Yuan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Yuchen Yang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kangli Zhou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Fei Xie"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zhiming Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Xiaoling Huang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Mingdong Huang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Minkui Lin"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a5hrd2j1z3kgr.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fbioe.2026.1953510",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13683795",
  "id": "a5hrd2j1z3kgr",
  "issns": [
    "2296-4185"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909076",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2740|Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220838731",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13683795?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13683795",
  "pmid": "42909076",
  "published": "2026-10-07",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a5hrd2j1z3kgr.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42909076",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909076"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2740|Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated photodynamic inactivation and reduction of Candida albicans biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo.",
  "title_text": "ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated photodynamic inactivation and reduction of Candida albicans biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a5hrd2j1z3kgr",
  "venue": "Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology",
  "versions": []
}