title: Antifungal properties of the anti-hypertensive drug: aliskiren.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aliskiren, the first in a new class of orally active renin inhibitors, is licensed for the treatment of hypertension. It inhibits plasma renin activity directly, thereby reducing generation of angiotensin II. In this study, we have explored the anti-Candida properties of aliskiren.
  
  
  METHODS
  Candida albicans was cultured in the presence or absence of aliskiren for various time periods. Subsequently, inhibition of growth, germtube formation, adhesion, early/matured biofilm development and secreted aspartic protease (SAP) activity were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When cultured in the presence of aliskiren, Candida showed significant reduction in the activity of aspartic proteases. Aliskiren impaired in vitro growth of C. albicans. It also affected two other virulence factors, germtube and adhesion. There is reduction in early and matured biofilm when treated with aliskiren.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aliskiren could be considered as a candidate for antifungal drug development.
authors.affiliation: DST-FIST and UGC-SAP Sponsored School of Life Sciences, SRTM University, Nanded, Maharashtra State, India.
authors.forename: Gunderao Hanumantrao
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kathwate
authors.forename: S Mohan
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Karuppayil
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057055:Aspartic Acid Proteases / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D058492:Drug Repositioning; D005650:Fumarates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D057055:Aspartic Acid Proteases; D005650:Fumarates; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors; C446481:aliskiren
keywords: Aliskiren; Candida albicans; HIV protease inhibitors; Secreted aspartic proteases