title: A diterpenoid taxodone from Metasequoia glyptostroboides with antimycotic potential against clinical isolates of Candida species.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The increasing importance of clinical isolates of Candida species and emerging resistance of Candida species to current synthetic antifungal agents have stimulated the search for safer and more effective alternative drugs from natural sources. This study was directed towards exploring the antimycotic potential of a diterpenoid compound taxodone isolated from Metasequoia glyptostroboides against pathogenic isolates of Candida species.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antimycotic efficacy of taxodone was evaluated by disc diffusion assay, determination of minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum fungicidal (MFC) concentrations, and cell viability assay. To confirm a partial antimycotic mode of action of taxodone, the efficacy of taxodone was determined by measuring the release of 260 nm absorbing materials from the selected Candida species as compared to control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The taxodone at the concentration of 400 μg/disc displayed potential antimycotic effect against the tested clinical and pathogenic isolates of Candida species as diameters of zones of inhibitions, which were found in the range of 11 ± 0.0 to 12.6 ± 0.5mm. The MIC and MFC values of taxodone against the tested clinical isolates were found in the range of 250 to 1000 and 500 to 2000μ g/mL, respectively. On the other hand, the MIC and MFC values of positive control (amphotericin B) against the tested Candida isolates were found in the range of 62.5 to 250 and 500 to 2000 μg/mL. On the viable counts of the tested fungal isolates, the taxodone exerted significant antimycotic effect. Elaborative study of partial mode of action conducted onto the release of 260nm materials (DNA and RNA) revealed potential detrimental effect of taxodone on the membrane integrity of the tested pathogens at MIC concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With respect to the antimycotic effect of taxodone against pathogenic and clinical isolates of Candida species, it might be confirmed that bioactive compound taxodone present in M. glyptostroboides holds therapeutic value of medicinal significance.
authors: Department of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Republic of Korea.
authors: V K
authors: VK
authors: Bajpai
authors: Department of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: peter@ynu.ac.kr.
authors: Y-H
authors: YH
authors: Park
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-714, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sckang@daegu.ac.kr.
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Kang
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D029779:Cupressaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004224:Diterpenes; C435787:taxodone; D000666:Amphotericin B
keywords: Antimycotic potential; Candida sp.; Candida species; Clinical isolates; Isolats cliniques; Metasequoia glyptostroboides; Potentiel antifongique; Taxodone