title: Analysis of antifungal and anticancer effects of the extract from Pelargonium zonale.
abstract: The extract from Pelargonium zonale stalks exhibits activity against Candida albicans and exerts an effect on the HeLa cell line. The action against C. albicans cells was analysed using light, CLSM, SEM, and TEM microscopes. The observations indicate that the extract influenced fungal cell morphology and cell metabolic activity. The morphological changes include cell wall damage, deformations of cell surfaces, and abnormalities in fungal cell shape and size. Cells of C. albicans treated with the extract exhibited disturbances in the budding pattern and a tendency to form agglomerates and multicellular chains. The P. zonale extract caused a significant decrease in the metabolic activity of C. albicans cells. Cells died via both apoptosis and necrosis. The antitumor activity of the extract was analysed using the MTT assay. The P. zonale extract exhibited minor cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line but a dose-dependent cytopathic effect was noticed. The P. zonale extract is a promising source for the isolation of antifungal and anticancer compounds.
authors: Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: kinga.lewtak@gmail.com.
authors: Kinga
authors: K
authors: Lewtak
authors: Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: mfiolka@poczta.onet.pl.
authors: Marta J
authors: MJ
authors: Fiołka
authors: Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: ewa.szczuka@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl.
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Szczuka
authors: Department of Botany and Mycology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: anetaptas@wp.pl.
authors: Aneta A
authors: AA
authors: Ptaszyńska
authors: Department of Soil and Plant System, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: n.kotowicz@ipan.lublin.pl.
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Kotowicz
authors: Chair and Department of Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: przemyk18@tlen.pl.
authors: Przemysław
authors: P
authors: Kołodziej
authors: Chair and Department of Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: jolanta.rzymowska@am.lublin.pl.
authors: Jolanta
authors: J
authors: Rzymowska
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D031316:Pelargonium / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Candida albicans; Cytopathic effect; HeLa cell line; Plant extract