title: In vitro activity of CAY-1, a saponin from Capsicum frutescens, against Microsporum and Trichophyton species.
abstract: Dermatomycoses are among the world's most common diseases and their incidence has increased over recent years, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. In previous studies, the saponin CAY-1 from cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens), has shown antifungal activities against Candida albicans and Aspergillus spp. We therefore studied the in vitro antifungal activity of CAY-1 against non-germinating conidia and hyphae of clinical isolates of the dermatophytes Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. tonsurans and Microsporum canis. We used a microdilution method to assess the growth inhibitory activities of CAY-1 against conidia (CLSI document M38-A) and a colorimetric procedure (XTT method) to investigate the metabolic inhibitory activity of CAY-1 against hyphae. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (complete visual growth inhibition) of CAY-1 against non-germinating conidia ranged from 10-20 microg/ml for all dermatophyte isolates included in this investigation. In addition, we found >90% inhibition of hyphal metabolic activity of these same isolates with 10-20 microg/ml of CAY-1. Results indicate that CAY-1 merits further investigation as a potential agent for the treatment of dermatomycoses.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Theodouli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stergiopoulou
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: De Lucca
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meletiadis
authors.forename: Tin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sein
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Boue
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schaufele
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roilides
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghannoum
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D002212:Capsicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008864:Microsporum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013256:Steroids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: C472966:CAY-I; D012503:Saponins; D013256:Steroids