Benzyldimethyldodecyl Ammonium Chloride-Doped Denture-Based Resin: Impact on Strength, Surface Properties, Antifungal Activities, and In Silico Molecular Docking Analysis

Abstract

Candida albicans (C. albicans) adhering to denture-based resins (DBRs) is a known cause of denture stomatitis. A new approach to prevent denture stomatitis is to include antimicrobial substances within DBRs. Here, we examined the mechanical performance and antifungal properties of DBRs containing benzyldimethyldodecyl ammonium chloride (C₁₂BDMA-Cl) as an antimicrobial compound. C₁₂BDMA-Cl is a quaternary ammonium compound, and its antifungal properties have never been investigated when combined with dental acrylic resin. Therefore, we modified a commercially available heat-polymerized acrylic DBR to contain 3 and 5 wt.% of C₁₂BDMA-Cl. Unmodified DBR was used as a control group. Specimens were prepared using the conventional heat processing method. The specimen's flexural strength, elastic modulus, microhardness, and surface roughness were evaluated. C. albicans biofilm was grown on the specimens and assessed via colony-forming units (CFUs) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In silico molecular docking was applied to predict the potential C₁₂BDMA-Cl inhibition activity as an antifungal drug. The 3% C₁₂BDMA-Cl DBR demonstrated antifungal activities without a deterioration effect on the mechanical performance. SEM images indicated fewer colonies in DBR containing C₁₂BDMA-Cl, which can be a potential approach to managing denture stomatitis. In conclusion, C₁₂BDMA-Cl is a promising antifungal agent for preventing and treating denture stomatitis.

Keywords: acrylic; antifungal; bioactive; denture; resin.

Figure 1

Flowchart of the study design and specimen fabrication.

Figure 2

The mechanical properties assessment of the C₁₂BDMA-Cl DBR groups (n = 6, mean ± SD). (A) Flexural strength, (B) elastic modulus, and (C) microhardness. Dissimilar letters indicate a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05). (D) Representative optical images for the microhardness test. No significant differences were found among the groups concerning their microhardness.

Figure 3

Surface roughness values of the C₁₂BDMA-Cl DBR groups. (A) Average surface roughness, (B) maximum height of the profile, (C) maximum peak height, and (D) maximum valley depth (n = 10, mean ± SD). Dissimilar letters indicate a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05).

Figure 4

The antifungal properties of the C₁₂BDMA-Cl DBR groups (n = 9, mean ± SD). Dissimilar letters indicate a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05).

Figure 5

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the C₁₂BDMA-Cl -DBR groups (n = 1 per group). (A,B) The control DBR with no C₁₂BDMA-Cl displays the growth of Candida albicans colonies (red arrows) over the specimens. (C,D) The 3 wt.% C₁₂BDMA-Cl DBR and (E,F) the 5 wt.% C₁₂BDMA-Cl DBR display reduced biofilm growth with fewer morphological yeast-to-hyphal transitions (yellow arrow) compared to the control, indicating that these colonies are less pathogenic.

Figure 6

Three-dimensional (3D) structures of the binding positions between Candida albicans and C₁₂BDMA-Cl. The C₁₂BDMA-Cl compound (green) and the reference compounds (red) in the active site of (A) Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme and (B) Candidapepsin-1 (SAPs) enzyme. (C,D) Two-dimensional structures of the binding between C₁₂BDMA-Cl compound and the two receptors; (C) Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme and (D) Candidapepsin-1 (SAPs) enzyme.