title: CAY-1, a novel antifungal compound from cayenne pepper.
abstract: CAY-1, a novel saponin from Capsicum frutescens (commercially known as cayenne pepper) was investigated to determine its in vitro antifungal activity, mechanism of action and mammalian cell cytotoxicity. CAY-1 was active against 16 different fungal strains, including Candida spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus [minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 4 to 16 microg ml(-1)], and was especially active against Cryptococcus neoformans (90% inhibition at 1 microg ml(-1)). Synergistic activity was also observed between CAY-1 and amphotericin B against Candida albicans and A. fumigatus. No significant cytotoxicity was demonstrated when CAY-1 was tested against 55 mammalian cell lines at up to 100 microg ml(-1). Importantly, CAY-1 appears to act by disrupting the membrane integrity of fungal cells.
authors.affiliation: MycoLogics, Inc., Aurora, Colorado 80010, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renault
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: De Lucca
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boue
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Vigo
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Selitrennikoff
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002212:Capsicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006801:Humans; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; C472966:CAY-I; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D012503:Saponins; D013256:Steroids; C029084:Kayahope