In view of an optimal gut antifungal therapeutic strategy: an in vitro susceptibility and toxicity study testing a novel phyto-compound.
OBJECTIVE
In view of the raising concern for gut fungal infection, the aim of the present research was to carry out a systematic in vitro study testing the antifungal activity and possible toxicity of a polygodyal-anethole compound (Kolorex) in several strains of Candida albicans and in other fungal pathogens.


METHODS
The in vitro susceptibility tests were carried out on 4 strains of C. albicans (C. krusei, C. lipolytica, C. tropicalis, C. utilis), Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus. Cultures were also analyzed by varying medium, pH and inoculum size, and a time-course killing test was carried out.


RESULTS
In the present study the polygodyal-anethole compound showed remarkable in vitro activity against the most common fungi, which was significantly better than polygodyal alone. Moreover, such mixture compound was shown to exert its activity against a wide spectrum of fungi, including C. lipolytica and C. tropicalis, which required significantly higher MIC of polygodyal to be unfeasible in clinical application. The activity of the polygodyal-anethole compound was significantly better than polygodyal alone with high inoculum size and low pH. Moreover, it proved to exert a significantly faster biological activity against low inoculum.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the mixture compound Kolorex has a very good profile of antifungal activity in terms of effectiveness and spectrum of action while being devoid of any significant toxicity.
Metugriachuk
Yussef
Y
TMC Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
Kuroi
Olivia
O
Pavasuthipaisit
Kanok
K
Tsuchiya
Junji
J
Minelli
Emilio
E
Okura
Ruichi
R
Fesce
Edoardo
E
Marotta
F
F
D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000818:Animals; D000840:Anisoles; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000187:drug effects; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D041022:Candida tropicalis / Q000187:drug effects; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D051381:Rats; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000840:Anisoles; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C034380:polygodial; C006578:anethole