Antifungal effects of alantolactone on Candida albicans: An in vitro study

The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans can cause many kinds of infections, including biofilm infections on medical devices, while the available antifungal drugs are limited to only a few. In this study, alantolactone (Ala) demonstrated antifungal activities against C. albicans, as well as other Candida species, with a MIC of 72 μg/mL. Ala could also inhibit the adhesion, yeast-to-hyphal transition, biofilm formation and development of C. albicans. The exopolysaccharide of biofilm matrix and extracellular phospholipase production could also be reduced by Ala treatment. Ala could increase permeability of C. albicans cell membrane and ROS contribute to the anti-biofilm activity of Ala. Overall, the present study suggests that Ala may provide a promising candidate for developing antifungal drugs against C. albicans infections. [Display omitted] •Alantolactone showed activities against C. albicans and other Candida species.•Alantolactone inhibits the biofilm and other virulence factors of C. albicans.•Alantolactone causes C. albicans cell membrane damages.•Alantolactone induces ROS overproduction in C. albicans cells.