Isocryptomerin, a novel membrane-active antifungal compound from Selaginella tamariscina

Isocryptomerin is a biflavonoid isolated from Selaginella tamariscina used in traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated novel antifungal properties of isocryptomerin. The results indicated that isocryptomerin exerted antifungal activity in an energy-independent manner without remarkable h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2009-02, Vol.379 (3), p.676-680
Main Authors: Lee, Juneyoung, Choi, Yunjung, Woo, Eun-Rhan, Lee, Dong Gun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antifungal activity
Antifungal Agents - chemistry
Antifungal Agents - isolation & purification
Antifungal Agents - pharmacology
Biflavonoid
Candida albicans
Candida albicans - drug effects
Cell Membrane - drug effects
Cell Membrane - metabolism
Diphenylhexatriene - chemistry
Diphenylhexatriene - metabolism
Erythrocyte Membrane - drug effects
Erythrocytes - drug effects
Flavones - chemistry
Flavones - isolation & purification
Flavones - pharmacology
Fluorescent Dyes - chemistry
Fluorescent Dyes - metabolism
Hemolysis
Humans
Isocryptomerin
Membrane Potentials - drug effects
Membrane-disruption mechanism(s)
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Molecular Structure
Selaginella
Selaginellaceae - chemistry
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Summary:Isocryptomerin is a biflavonoid isolated from Selaginella tamariscina used in traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated novel antifungal properties of isocryptomerin. The results indicated that isocryptomerin exerted antifungal activity in an energy-independent manner without remarkable hemolytic effects. To understand mode of action(s) of isocryptomerin, we conducted experiments on Candida albicans, a noted human pathogenic fungal strain. Flow cytometric analysis with bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol [DiBAC 4(3)], a translational membrane potential dye, regeneration test with fungal protoplasts, and fluorescence analysis with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), a probe for membrane studies by depolarization, indicated that isocryptomerin could depolarize fungal plasma membrane. In conclusion, the results suggested that the antifungal activities of isocryptomerin might be due to its membrane-disruption mechanism(s).
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.12.030