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In vitro activity of natural phenolic compounds against fluconazole‐resistant C andida species: a quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis
Author(s) -
Gallucci M.N.,
Carezzano M.E.,
Oliva M.M.,
Demo M.S.,
Pizzolitto R.P.,
Zunino M.P.,
Zygadlo J.A.,
Dambolena J.S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12432
Subject(s) - fluconazole , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , chemistry , antifungal , biochemistry
Aims To evaluate the antifungal activity and to analyse the structure–activity relationship of eleven natural phenolic compounds against four C andida species which are resistant to fluconazole. Methods and Results Four different species of C andida isolates were used: C andida albicans , C andida krusei , C andida tropicalis and C andida dubliniensis . The phenolic compound carvacrol showed the highest anti‐ C andida bioactivity, followed by thymol and isoeugenol. The obtained minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC ) values obtained were used in a quantitative structure–activity relationship ( QSAR ) analysis where the electronic, steric, thermodynamic and topological descriptors served as dependent variables. According to the descriptors obtained in this QSAR study, the antifungal activity of phenols has a first action specific character which is based on their interaction with plasma or mitochondrial membranes. The second action is based on a steric descriptor—the maximal and minimal projection of the area—which could explain the inability of some phenolic compounds to be biotransformed to quinones methylene by C andida species. Conclusions According to the descriptors obtained in this QSAR study, the anti‐ C andida activity of ortho‐substituted phenols is due to more than one action mechanism. The anti‐ C andida activity of phenolic compounds can be predicted by their molecular properties and structural characteristics. Significance and Impact of the Study These results could be employed to predict the anti‐ C andida activity of new phenolic compounds in the search for new alternatives or complementary therapies to combat against candidiasis.