Impaired ergosterol biosynthesis mediated fungicidal activity of oil based tin polymer

β-citronellol alters cell surface properties of Candida albicans to influence pathogenicity related traits

The pathogenicity of Candida albicans, an opportunistic human fungal pathogen, is attributed to several virulence factors. β-citronellol is a monoterpenoid present in several plant essential oils. The present study explores the antifungal potential and mode of action of β-citronellol against C. albicans ATCC 90028 (standard), C. albicans D-27 (FLC-sensitive), and C. albicans S-1 (FLC-resistant). Anti-Candida potential was studied by performing MIC, MFC, growth curves, disc diffusion, spot assay, and WST1 cytotoxic assay. Morphological transition was monitored microscopically in both solid and liquid hyphae inducing media. β-citronellol inhibits yeast to hyphal transition in both liquid and solid hyphae inducing media. It had a significant inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and secretion of extracellular proteinases and phospholipases. We showed that it has an adverse effect on membrane ergosterol levels and modulates expression of related ERG genes. Expression profiles of selected genes associated with C. albicans pathogenicity displayed reduced expression in treated cells. This work suggests that β-citronellol inhibits morphological transition in C. albicans and decreases the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes involved in the early stage of infection as well as modulates the expression of associated genes. Pleiotropic phenotype shown by β-citronellol treated Candida cells suggests various modes of action. Further studies will assess the clinical application of β-citronellol in the treatment of fungal infections.

In-situ modification of castor oil with divalent metal ions like Zn (II), Cu (II), Co (II) and Ba (II) and their comparative antioxidant study by in-vitro methods

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted for direct addition of castor oil into food for human consumption and recently FDA approved castor oil as over-the-counter (OTC) for laxative drug. Castor oil (COL) is a vegetable oil and naturally polyol which is inexpensive, environmental friendly and a very valuable renewable resource. Metals are believed to influence antioxidant property of ligands. Metals copper, zinc, cobalt and barium were incorporated with castor oil and subsequently structures were established by FT-IR, UV-Visible, and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques. In vitro antioxidant activities of metal containing COL were determined by DPPH and superoxide scavenging methods and the results were compared with vitamin C. Enhanced antioxidant nature of metal containing castor oil was noticed and compared to virgin castor oil. This study reveals that synthesized metal containing-COL is a potential antioxidant material.