BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Like other species of the genusCandida, Candida albicansis a diploid fungus that grows both as yeast and filamentous cells. More specifically,C. albicansis a dimorphic fungus, which has both a yeast-like growth habit and a filamentous form consisting of both hyphae and pseudohypae.C. albicansexists as part of the normal microbial flora in humans, but can produce opportunistic infections ranging from topical infections such as oral thrush to life-threatening disseminated mycoses. In response to changes in its environment,C. albicanscan transition from budding yeast to its filamentous morphology. The filamentous morphology is important for its virulence and causes both skin and mucosal infections. Quorum sensing has been identified as a phenomenon contributing toC. albicans' morphogenic transition from its conidial to filamentous form.

Quorum sensing systems have been found to coordinate virulence and biofilm development of pathogenic microorganisms. Manipulation of quorum sensing systems has been recently considered a promising strategy for developing antimicrobial agents since the manipulation of quorum sensing systems only inhibits the virulence but not the growth of microorganisms.

Farnesol is an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol (a class of terpenes) that is naturally found in many different essential oils, including but not limited to citronella oil, neroli oil, cyclamen oil, lemon grass oil, tuberose oil, rose oil, musk oil, and balsam and tolu oil. Generally, farnesol is an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found as a colorless liquid. Farnesol is insoluble in water, but miscible with oils. Farnesol has been found to act as a quorum sensing inhibitor to decrease the rate thatCandida albicanstransitions from budding yeast to the filamentous form.

However, the practical use of farnesol as a quorum sensing inhibitor with respect toC. albicansis particularly difficult due to its insoluble nature in water. That is, it is difficult to apply farnesol to wipes or other materials for use, especially in a large-scale manufacturing environment. Additionally, it is difficult to incorporate farnesol within compositions (e.g., lotions) that can be used as a quorum sensing inhibitor, particularly when applied to the skin of a user.

As such, a need exists for a manner in which farnesol can be used as a quorum sensing inhibitor ofC. albicansin a practical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Farnesol analogs are generally provided, along with their related products (e.g., treatment compositions, wipes, absorbent articles, etc.). In one embodiment, the farnesol analog includes a hydrophilic end group (e.g., a hydroxyl end group or a carboxylic acid end group) attached to farnesol via a covalent linkage (e.g., an ester group or an ether group).

In one embodiment, the farnesol analog can have the structure:


where n is an integer from 1 to about 8 (e.g., n is 2, 3, or 4), or its deprotonated salt.

The hydrophilic end group of the farnesol analog can, in one embodiment, comprises a second ester group. For example, the farnesol analog can have the structure:


where n is an integer from 1 to about 8 (e.g., n is 2, 3, or 4); and m is an integer from 1 to about 8 (m is 2, 3, or 4).

In one particular embodiment, the covalent linkage of the farnesol analog can include an ether group, and the hydrophilic end group can be a hydroxyl end group. For example, the farnesol analog can have the structure:


where n is an integer from 1 to about 8 (e.g., n is 2, 3, or 4). Alternatively, the farnesol analog can have the structure:


where n is an integer that is 1 to about 100. In yet another alternative embodiment, the farnesol analog can include a monosaccharide covalently attached to the farnesol via an ether linkage, such as the farnesol analog having the structure:



In one particular embodiment, the farnesol analog has a solubility in water that is 10 grams per 100 grams of water or greater.

Wipes are also generally provided that can include a web of a plurality of fibers and coated with a treatment composition that includes such a farnesol analog.

Absorbent articles are also generally provided that can include a liquid impermeable outer cover; a liquid permeable bodyside liner; an absorbent body disposed between the outer cover and bodyside liner; and a treatment composition applied to the bodyside liner. The treatment composition includes such a farnesol analog.

Methods are also generally provided for forming a farnesol analog that is soluble in water from a farnesol molecule having a hydroxyl group. The method can, in one embodiment, include covalently attaching a hydrophilic end group (e.g., a hydroxyl end group or a carboxylic acid end group) to the farnesol molecule via reaction with its hydroxyl group to form a covalent linkage (e.g., an ester group or an ether group).

Other features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.

