title: Antifungal mechanism of essential oil from Anethum graveolens seeds against Candida albicans.
abstract: This work studied the antifungal mechanism of dill seed essential oil (DSEO) against Candida albicans. Flow cytometric analysis and inhibition of ergosterol synthesis were performed to clarify the mechanism of action of DSEO on C. albicans. Upon treatment of cells with DSEO, propidium iodide penetrated C. albicans through a lesion in its plasma membrane. DSEO also significantly reduced the amount of ergosterol. These findings indicate that the plasma membrane of C. albicans was damaged by DSEO. The effect of DSEO on the functions of the mitochondria in C. albicans was also studied. We assayed the mitochondrial membrane potential (mtΔψ) using rhodamine 123 and determined the production of mitochondrial dysfunction-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) via flow cytometry. The effects of the antioxidant l-cysteine (Cys) on DSEO-induced ROS production and the antifungal effect of DSEO on C. albicans were investigated. Exposure to DSEO increased mtΔψ. Dysfunctions in the mitochondria caused ROS accumulation in C. albicans. This increase in the level of ROS production and DSEO-induced decrease in cell viability were prevented by the addition of Cys, indicating that ROS are an important mediator of the antifungal action of DSEO. These findings indicate that the cytoplasmic membrane and mitochondria are the main anti-Candida targets of DSEO.
authors: Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of TCM & Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
authors: Yuxin
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources, Tarim University, Alar, 843300, Xinjiang, PR China.|Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of TCM & Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Zeng
authors: Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of TCM & Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Tian
authors: Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of TCM & Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
authors: Xiaoquan
authors: X
authors: Ban
authors: Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of TCM & Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
authors: Bingxin
authors: B
authors: Ma
authors: Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of TCM & Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
authors: Youwei
authors: Y
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D028524:Anethum graveolens / Q000737:chemistry*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D003545:Cysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D009761:Nystatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009761:Nystatin; D015725:Fluconazole; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D003545:Cysteine; D004875:Ergosterol