Antifungal effect of (+)-pinoresinol isolated from Sambucus williamsii

Molecules. 2010 May 14;15(5):3507-16. doi: 10.3390/molecules15053507.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity and mechanism of action of (+)-pinoresinol, a biphenolic compound isolated from the herb Sambucus williamsii,used in traditional medicine. (+)-Pinoresinol displays potent antifungal properties without hemolytic effects on human erythrocytes. To understand the antifungal mechanism of (+)-pinoresinol, we conducted fluorescence experiments on the human pathogen Candida albicans. Fluorescence analysis using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) indicated that the (+)-pinoresinol caused damage to the fungal plasma membrane. This result was confirmed by using rhodamine-labeled giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) experiments. Therefore, the present study indicates that (+)-pinoresinol possesses fungicidal activities and therapeutic potential as an antifungal agent for the treatment of fungal infectious diseases in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • Erythrocytes / microbiology
  • Furans / isolation & purification
  • Furans / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Lignans / isolation & purification
  • Lignans / pharmacology*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Sambucus / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Furans
  • Lignans
  • pinoresinol