Yogyakarta, 30 September 2025 — Resistance of the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans to azole-class antifungal drugs has emerged as a serious issue in global healthcare. Addressing this challenge, a team of students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has successfully developed an innovative research project utilizing antipsychotic drugs as potential new therapeutic candidates that may provide effective and affordable solutions.
The research was initiated by Davin Elian Qariru together with his team members Rafif Ananda Putra, Muhammad Yusuf Alfaqih, Ardipta Feyant Santoso, and Ni Komang Wijayanti Sinta Dewi under the supervision of apt. Setyowati Triastuti Utami, Ph.D.
Global data indicate that invasive fungal infections affect more than 6.5 million people across 120 countries annually, with high mortality rates. Candida albicans, one of the major causative agents, accounts for mortality rates reaching up to 56.15%. The problem has become increasingly complex with the emergence of strains resistant to azole drugs, which are the primary therapeutic option.
“Antifungal choices remain very limited. If resistance continues to spread, therapy would require the use of more expensive drugs with severe potential side effects. Therefore, it is crucial to identify alternative treatments that are both effective and accessible,” explained Davin.
In this study, the team proposed a drug repurposing approach, which involves the application of existing drugs for new disease indications. Antipsychotics such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, and olanzapine have demonstrated antifungal potential, yet their efficacy against resistant strains has been scarcely explored. By employing methods including molecular docking, solid diffusion, chemosensitization, and MIC90, the team investigated the interaction of antipsychotics with resistance-associated transporter proteins (CaCDR1, CaCDR2, and CaMDR1) and evaluated their synergistic potential with fluconazole.
Preliminary results revealed that antipsychotic drugs were able to inhibit the growth of resistant fungal strains while enhancing their sensitivity to fluconazole. These findings highlight the potential of antipsychotics to be utilized either as chemosensitizer agents or as alternative antifungal therapies.
“If further proven effective, antipsychotic-based therapy could serve as a rapid and cost-efficient solution compared to the lengthy and expensive process of developing entirely new drugs. This approach also aligns with efforts to support Indonesia’s National Health Insurance (JKN) program,” added Rafif.
This research conducted by UGM pharmacy students not only addresses the challenge of antifungal resistance but also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by improving access to better healthcare, and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering pharmaceutical innovation.
“Our hope is that this research will serve as an initial step toward the development of innovative, effective, and affordable therapies to tackle the global health crisis caused by fungal resistance,” concluded Davin.
