Tao Li
China
Research Article
Anti-cryptococcus Activity and Mechanism of Essential Oil from Coreopsis tinctoria Flowering on Cryptococcus
Author(s): Hong Zeng, Tao Li, Hui-ping Ding and Jun TianHong Zeng, Tao Li, Hui-ping Ding and Jun Tian
The essential oil (EO) extracted from the flower of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. is a kind of plant-derived natural therapeutics against Cryptococcus neoformans. In our study, the anti-cryptococcal effects of the EO were observed from various aspects, such as minimal inhibitory concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration, germ tube formation, and biomass. The results indicated that the EO had potent antifungal activities on C. neoformans and that it was more effective than the commonly used antifungal agents fluconazole and amphotericin B. To further elucidate the mechanism of the antifungal action, the effect of the EO on the plasma membrane and the mitochondria of C. neoformans were investigated. The lesion in the plasma membrane was detected through flow cytometry and was further verified through the inhibition of ergosterol synthesis. The essential oil caused morphological change.. View More»
