title: Isocryptomerin, a novel membrane-active antifungal compound from Selaginella tamariscina.
abstract: 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).
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, 1370 Sankyuk-dong, Puk-ku, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Juneyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yunjung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Eun-Rhan
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Dong Gun
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004161:Diphenylhexatriene / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D047309:Flavones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015394:Molecular Structure; D032503:Selaginellaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D047309:Flavones; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C538748:isocryptomerin; D004161:Diphenylhexatriene