Antifungal activity of baicalein against Candida krusei does not involve apoptosis

Authors

Kai Kang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Wing Ping Fong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Wai Kei Paul Tsang, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Vocational Training CouncilFollow

Staff Page link

Dr TSANG Wai Kei Paul

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2010

Keywords

Baicalein, Candidakrusei, Mitochondrial membrane potential, Reactive oxygen species

DOI

10.1007/s11046-010-9341-2

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the antifungal activity of baicalein against Candida krusei isolates. Using a broth microdilution assay, baicalein exhibited potent in vitro antifungal activity against C. krusei isolates with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 2. 7 μg/ml. Flow cytometric study indicated that baicalein depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. However, mechanistic analyses showed that the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was virtually unchanged, and massive DNA fragmentation was not observed in C. krusei isolates after baicalein treatment even at a concentration which was apoptotic in C. albicans. Taken together, we conclude that the antifungal activity of baicalein in C. krusei isolates occurs through perturbation in mitochondrial homeostasis without causing elevation of the intracellular ROS level and does not involve apoptosis.

Source Publication

Mycopathologia

Volume Number

170

Issue Number

6

ISSN

0301-486X

First Page

391

Last Page

396

Recommended Citation

Kang, K.,Fong, W.,& Tsang, W. (2010). Antifungal activity of baicalein against Candida krusei does not involve apoptosis. Mycopathologia, 170 (6), 391-396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11046-010-9341-2