Natural plant compounds to fight oral thrush in people with HIV
Official title: Natural Phenolic Compounds against Oral Candidiasis (OC)
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11384442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to test natural plant compounds to help prevent and treat oral infections caused by Candida in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $401,021 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI181635-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals living with HIV who experience frequent oral candidiasis and have limited response to current antifungals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HIV or those not experiencing oral candidiasis are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at plant-based compounds, CAPE and ellagic acid, to stop Candida from growing and forming biofilms in the mouth. It uses lab tests and small animal models to see how well these compounds work and whether they’re safe for human cells. If results are promising, the work could lead to new options for people with HIV who struggle with oral thrush and antifungal resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these compounds could become new, safer options to prevent or treat oral candidiasis in people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown activity of these compounds against fungi and invertebrate models, suggesting potential but requiring human-focused validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mylonakis, Eleftherios — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Mylonakis, Eleftherios
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.