Tulbaghia violacea Harv. Extracts Affect Key Intermediates of the Cryptococcus neoformans Ergosterol Biosynthetic Pathway

This study investigated the mechanism of inhibition ofCryptococcus neoformans byTulbaghia violacea plant extract.C. neoformans cultures were treated with sub-inhibitory concentrations ofT. violacea extract and the effect of the exposure on the production of various sterol intermediates was analyzed by high performance reverse phase liquid chromatography. Plant extract treatedC. neoformans cultures exhibited reductions in ergosterol production after 48 hrs of exposure in a dose dependent manner. HPLC analysis overall revealed an accumulation in squalene, 2,3-oxidosqualene and lanosterol intermediates after extract treatment. It is therefore concluded thatT. violacea extract reduced ergosterol production inC. neoformans by interfering with squalene epoxidase, 2,3-oxidosqualene lanosterol cyclase and lanosterol 14-a demethylase. The inhibitory effect ofT. violacea plant extract on ergosterol production inC. neoformans unlocks the potential of this extract as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Source: International Journal of Phytomedicine - July 10, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Benesh Munilal Somai Source Type: research