title: Proton translocating ATPase mediated fungicidal activity of eugenol and thymol.
abstract: Eugenol (1) and thymol (2) exhibit excellent fungicidal activity against pathogenic yeasts, including isolates resistant to azoles. The rapid irreversible action of compound-1 and compound 2 on fungal cells suggested a membrane-located target for their action. We investigated their effect on H(+)-ATPase mediated H(+)-pumping by various Candida species. Both compounds inhibit H(+)-ATPase activity at their respective MIC values--500 and 100 μg/ml. Glucose stimulated H(+)-extrusion was also inhibited significantly by compound 1 and compound 2. Inhibition of H(+)-ATPase leads to intracellular acidification and cell death. Inhibition of cell growth and H(+)-efflux by test compounds suggests that their antifungal properties are related to their inhibitory effects on H(+)-ATPase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India.
authors.forename: Aijaz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Snowber
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yousuf
authors.forename: Luqman A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Nikhat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manzoor
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D005054:Eugenol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015394:Molecular Structure; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013943:Thymol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D013943:Thymol; D005054:Eugenol; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases