Allyl alcohol and garlic (Allium sativum) extract produce oxidative stress in Candida albicans.
Both the growth and respiration of Candida albicans are sensitive to extracts of Allium sativum and investigations into the anticandidal activities are now focussing on the purified constituents to determine the targets of inhibition. Of particular interest is allyl alcohol (AA), a metabolic product that accumulates after trituration of garlic cloves. Putative targets for AA were investigated by monitoring changes in intracellular responses after exposure of C. albicans cells to AA or a commercially available garlic extract. Two-photon laser scanning microscopy and other techniques were used. Changes typical of oxidative stress--NADH oxidation and glutathione depletion, and increased reactive oxygen species--were observed microscopically and by flow cytometry. Known targets for AA are alcohol dehydrogenases Adh1 and 2 (in the cytosol) and Adh3 (mitochondrial), although the significant decrease in NAD(P)H after addition of AA is indicative of another mechanism of action.
Lemar
Katey M
KM
Microbiology, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3TL, Wales, UK.
Passa
Ourania
O
Microbiology, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3TL, Wales, UK.
Aon
Miguel A
MA
The Institute of Molecular Cardiobiology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 720 Rutland Ave, 844 Ross Building, Baltimore, MD 21205-2195, USA.
Cortassa
Sonia
S
The Institute of Molecular Cardiobiology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 720 Rutland Ave, 844 Ross Building, Baltimore, MD 21205-2195, USA.
Müller
Carsten T
CT
Microbiology, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3TL, Wales, UK.
Plummer
Sue
S
Cultech Biospeciality Products Ltd, York Chambers, York Street, Swansea SA1 3NJ, Wales, UK.
O'Rourke
Brian
B
The Institute of Molecular Cardiobiology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 720 Rutland Ave, 844 Ross Building, Baltimore, MD 21205-2195, USA.
Lloyd
David
D
Microbiology, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3TL, Wales, UK.
D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005737:Garlic / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020005:Propanols / Q000494:pharmacology*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D020005:Propanols; C006463:allyl alcohol