Screening for Antifungal Activity of Polyenzyme Preparation Immunoseb-S Using In Vitro Methods

The polyenzyme formulation Immunoseb-S developed by Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd. Thane, was screened for its ability to inhibit clinically important fungi such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. This novel formulation, a proprietary blend of different enzymes such as serratiopeptidase, acid and alkaline proteases, papain, bromelain etc. demonstrated antifungal activity against the two fungi but at high concentrations. Therefore the possibility of using the formulation as a potentiator of known antifungal agents was explored. For this, a combination Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay was standardized to determine if synergy existed between Immunoseb-S and commonly used antifungals, viz., Amphotericin B, Miconazole and Ketoconazole against five clinically significant fungi viz., Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus niger, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton rubrum. It was possible to establish a synergistic effect when polyenzyme formulation was used in combination with currently used antifungal; when used against all five pathogenic fungi. There was a drastic drop in MIC values of the standard antifungals. Also, Miconazole, which had proved ineffective against Candida and Cryptococcus became effective when used in combination with Immunoseb-S indicating a potentiation effect on the drug.