title: Baicalin prevents Candida albicans infections via increasing its apoptosis rate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  These experiments were employed to explore the mechanisms underlying baicalin action on Candida albicans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We detected the baicalin inhibition effects on three isotope-labeled precursors of (3)H-UdR, (3)H-TdR and (3)H-leucine incorporation into C. albicans using the isotope incorporation technology. The activities of Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH), cytochrome oxidase (CCO) and Ca(2)(+)-Mg(2+) ATPase, cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, the cell cycle and apoptosis, as well as the ultrastructure of C.albicans were also tested. We found that baicalin inhibited (3)H-UdR, (3)H-TdR and (3)H-leucine incorporation into C.albicans (P<0.005). The activities of the SDH and Ca(2)(+)-Mg(2+) ATPase of C.albicans in baicalin groups were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). Ca(2+) concentrations of C. albicans in baicalin groups were much higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The ratio of C.albicans at the G0/G1 stage increased in baicalin groups in dose dependent manner (P<0.01). There were a significant differences in the apoptosis rate of C.albicans between baicalin and control groups (P<0.01). After 12-48 h incubation with baicalin (1mg/ml), C. albicans shown to be markedly damaged under transmission electron micrographs.
  Baicalin can increase the apoptosis rate of C. albicans. These effects of Baicalin may involved in its inhibiting the activities of the SDH and Ca(2)(+)-Mg(2+) ATPase, increasing cytosolic Ca(2+) content and damaging the ultrastructure of C. albicans.
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors: Shulong
authors: S
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China. Electronic address: yingyuanfu@126.com.
authors: Yingyuan
authors: Y
authors: Fu
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors: Xiuzhen
authors: X
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors: Zhixing
authors: Z
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Xu
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors: Xiaoping
authors: X
authors: Zeng
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors: Nanzhen
authors: N
authors: Kuang
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors: Yurong
authors: Y
authors: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D005419:Flavonoids; D012331:RNA, Fungal; C038044:baicalin; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Apoptosis; Baicalin; Candida albicans; Drug target