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Antifungal Activity of Saponin-rich Extracts of Phytolacca dioica and of the Sapogenins Obtained through Hydrolysis

2010; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 5; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1177/1934578x1000500705

1934-578X

Melina Di Liberto, Laura Svetaz, Ricardo L. E. Furlán, Susana Zacchino, Carla Delporte, Marco A. Novoa, Marcelo Asencio, Bruce K. Cassels,

Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins

A saponin-rich extract of Phytolacca dioica L. berries, its acid hydrolysate, and its major aglycone, phytolaccagenin, were assayed for antifungal activity against ATCC standard cultures of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, and against clinical isolates of these fungi. The activity of the extract was either low or negligible, but the hydrolysate, containing the sapogenins, including phytolaccagenin, and also pure phytolaccagenin, showed promising antifungal potency. Hydrolysis of a natural product extract is shown to be a useful modification leading to improved bioactivity.