title: Anti-Candida properties of asaronaldehyde of Acorus gramineus rhizome and three structural isomers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asaronaldehyde (2, 4, 5-trimethoxybeznaldehyde) is an active component of Acorus gramineus rhizome. This study aims to evaluate the anti-Candida efficacy of asaronaldehyde and its three structural isomers, namely, 2, 3, 4-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, and 2, 4, 6- trimethoxybenzaldehyde.
  
  
  METHODS
  Susceptibility testing of test compounds was carried out using standard methodology (M27-A2) as per clinical and laboratory standards institute guidelines. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined as the lowest concentration of drug killing 99.9% of Candida cells. The effect on sterol profile was evaluated using the ergosterol quantitation method. Effects on morphogenesis, adhesion and biofilm formation in C. albicans were studied using germ-tube, adherence and biofilm formation assays respectively. Cytotoxicity of test compounds to human RBCs was determined by hemolysis assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  2, 4, 6-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde exhibited significant anti-Candida activity (P = 0.0412). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were established as 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. All of the test compounds showed significant inhibition of hyphal form transition in yeast at MIC/2 and MIC/4 values. 3, 4, 5-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde and 2, 4, 6-trimethoxybenzaldehyde inhibited adhesion and biofilms. A hemolytic assay of these compounds revealed that they were non-toxic at MIC values. Asaronaldehyde reduced sterol content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asaronaldehyde and 2, 4, 6-trimethoxybenzaldehyde showed anti-Candida efficacy.
authors.affiliation: DST-FIST and UGC-SAP Sponsored School of Life Sciences, SRTM University, Nanded 431-606, MS, India. prof.karuppayil@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sandeep B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Rajput
authors.forename: Ravikumar B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Shinde
authors.forename: Madhushree M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Routh
authors.forename: Sankunny M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Karuppayil