title: In vitro antifungal activity and mechanism of essential oil from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) on dermatophyte species.
abstract: Fennel seed essential oil (FSEO) is a plant-derived natural therapeutic against dermatophytes. In this study, the antifungal effects of FSEO were investigated from varied aspects, such as MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration, mycelia growth, spore germination and biomass. The results indicated that FSEO had potent antifungal activities on Trichophyton rubrum ATCC 40051, Trichophyton tonsurans 10-0400, Microsporum gypseum 44693-1 and Trichophyton mentagrophytes 10-0060, which is better than the commonly used antifungal agents fluconazole and amphotericin B. Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy experiments suggested that the antifungal mechanism of FSEO was to damage the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles. Further study revealed that it could also inhibit the mitochondrial enzyme activities, such as succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and ATPase. With better antifungal activity than the commonly used antifungal agents and less possibility of inducing drug resistance, FSEO could be used as a potential antidermatophytic agent.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Tarim University, Alar, 843300, Xinjiang, PR China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Tarim University, Alar, 843300, Xinjiang, PR China.
authors.forename: Xinping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Instrument Center, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100000 Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Jingnan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018533:Biomass; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D030001:Foeniculum / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008864:Microsporum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015388:Organelles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile