Isolation of antifungal saponins from Phytolacca tetramera, an Argentinean species in critic risk.

The methanolic extract of the berries of Phytolacca tetramera, an Argentinean species submitted to a great anthropic impact, and therefore in critic risk of extinction, not previously studied, showed antifungal activity against opportunistic pathogenic fungi. Through fractionation of the extract followed by agar dilution assays, three monodesmosidic triterpenoid saponins have been isolated from the butanolic extract of P. tetramera.

In vitro antifungal evaluation and studies on the mode of action of xanthoxyline derivatives.

This study describes the fungistatic effect of xanthoxyline (CAS 90-24-4) and its derivatives against a panel of yeasts, filamentous fungi and dermatophytes, by using the agar dilution method. Results indicated that simple structural modifications led to more potent derivatives, especially in relation with dermatophytes. The most active compound tested (10), which is a benzenesulphonyl derivative, was 12-fold more potent than xanthoxyline itself against Trichophyton rubrum.

In vitro evaluation of antifungal properties of phenylpropanoids and related compounds acting against dermatophytes.

Thirty-four arylpropanoids and related compounds were evaluated in vitro for antifungal properties. Among them, 22 phenyl-, 4 naphthyl-, and 4 phenanthrylpropanoids; naphthalene; phenanthrene; and 2-chloro-1-hexyl-1-propanone were tested against dermatophytes by the agar dilution method. alpha-Halopropiophenones exhibited a broad spectrum of activities against Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Epidermophyton floccosum, with MIC values between 0.

In vitro antifungal evaluation and studies on mode of action of eight selected species from the Argentine flora.

Twenty nine extracts belonging to eight species of the Argentine flora reported as antifungal in folk medicine, were assayed for antifungal properties by using the agar dilution method, against a panel of yeasts, filamentous fungi as well as dermatophytes. Nine extracts belonging to six species, exhibited a broad spectrum of activity against Microsporum cants, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum, with MICs ranging from 25 to 900 μg/ml. A dichloromethanis extract of Polygonum ferrugineum was the most active extract with MICs from 25-50 μg/ml.

In vitro studies on mode of action of antifungal 8.O.4'-neolignans occurring in certain species of Virola and related genera of Myristicaceae.

Neutral racemic antifungal alcohols of 8.O.4'-neolignan type, were evaluated for inhibitory activity towards the fungal cell wall, using the whole cell Neurospora crassa hyphal growth inhibition assay.