Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 8(1): 243 - 250. Published August 2008.
Effect of active fraction of methanolic extract of Acorus calamus on sterol metabolism of Candida albicans
T.S. Subha and A. Gnanamani*
Microbiology Division, Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai 600020, India
*Corresponding author email: agmani_2000@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: Due to resistance exhibited by Candida albicans towards the existing antifungal drugs, new drugs are needed. This study examined the potential of antifungal agents extracted from the plant Acorus calamus.
Methodology and Results: The methanolic extract of Acorus calamus was found to be most effective, hence by fractionation the active component (fraction 3) was separated and the efficiency studied by bioautography, germ tube assay and sterol profile. Germ tubes were absent in cultures treated with the active fraction. UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis revealed that the configuration of sterols varied with ergosterol biosynthesis being completely inhibited at the squalene level.
Conclusion and application of findings: The active fraction of methanolic extract of Acorus calamus effectively reduces ergosterol biosynthesis and thus prevents germ tube formation, finally causing cell death. Antibiotic resistance exhibited by Candida albicans could be effectively treated with the active fraction of Acorus calamus.
Key words: Acorus calamus, Candida albicans, sterol, ergosterol, germtube
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