Dioscin Inhibits Virulence Factors of Candida albicans

Biomed Res Int. 2018 Nov 26:2018:4651726. doi: 10.1155/2018/4651726. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Candida albicans infections present a heavy burden upon public health, with only a few drugs available, while biofilms formed by C. albicans worsen this situation. Dioscin has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects, and this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dioscin on the biofilm formation and development, as well as other virulence factors of C. albicans such as morphological transition, adhesion, and extracellular secreted phospholipase. Our results showed dioscin inhibits these virulence factors and has low cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Considering protective effects of dioscin against damage on liver and kidney, dioscin may be used as a potential candidate for antifungal development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Cell Line
  • Diosgenin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Diosgenin / pharmacology
  • Mammary Glands, Animal
  • Virulence / drug effects*
  • Virulence Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Virulence Factors
  • dioscin
  • Diosgenin