Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal whole-plant extracts exhibited anti-sporotrichotic effects by destabilizing peripheral integrity of Sporothrix globosa yeast cells

Abstract

Chronic topical cases of Sporotrichosis, a chronic fungal infection caused by the ubiquitously present cryptic members of the Sporothrix species complex, are treated with oral administrations of itraconazole. However, severe pulmonary or disseminated cases require repeated intra-venous doses of amphotericin B or even surgical debridement of the infected tissue. The unavoidable adverse side-effects of the current treatments, besides the growing drug resistance among Sporothrix genus, demands exploration of alternative therapeutic options. Medicinal herbs, due to their multi-targeting capacity, are gaining popularity amidst the rising antimicrobial recalcitrance. Withania somnifera is a well-known medicinal herb with reported antifungal activities against several pathogenic fungal genera. In this study, the antifungal effect of the whole plant extract of W. somnifera (WSWE) has been explored for the first time, against an itraconazole resistant strain of S. globosa. WSWE treatment inhibited S. globosa yeast form growth in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 of 1.40 mg/ml. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was found to be 50 mg/ml. Sorbitol protection and ergosterol binding assays, revealed that anti-sporotrichotic effects of WSWE correlated well with the destabilization of the fungal cell wall and cell membrane. This observation was validated through dose-dependent decrease in overall ergosterol contents in WSWE-treated S. globosa cells. Compositional analysis of WSWE through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) exhibited the presence of several anti-microbial phytochemicals like withanone, withaferin A, withanolides A and B, and withanoside IV and V. Withanone and withaferin A, purified from WSWE, were 10–20 folds more potent against S. globosa than WSWE, thus, suggesting to be the major phytocompounds responsible for the observed anti-sporotrichotic activity. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated the anti-sporotrichotic property of the whole plant extract of W. somnifera against S. globosa that could be further explored for the development of a natural antifungal agent against chronic Sporotrichosis.

The Chemical Profile, and Antidermatophytic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities of Withania chevalieri A.E. Gonç. Ethanolic Extract

“…We used several clinical isolates of different dermatophyte species, some of which were isolated in Cape Verde. There are no previous studies on the antimicrobial activity of W. chevalieri and the studies on the antidermatophytic activity of extracts obtained from other Whitania species are scarce, although the activity against other fungi was previously demonstrated (e.g., [15,[36][37][38][39][40]). When compared with other Withania species, W. somnifera and W. coagulans, the MIC values obtained had similar ranges.…”

Recent Advancements in Extraction Techniques of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) with Insights on Phytochemicals, Structural Significance, Pharmacology, and Current Trends in Food Applications

“…WS has been proven to have antifungal effects against several pathogenic fungus taxa. For the first time, researchers investigated the antifungal activity of WS water extract (WSWE) against an itraconazole-resistant strain of S. globose with an IC50 of 1.40 mg/mL; the treatment with WS water extract reduced the growth of the S. globosa yeast form in a dose-dependent way . Pharmacokinetic studies provide crucial information about how the body absorbs, metabolizes, and eliminates compounds from herbal extracts.…”

“…For the first time, researchers investigated the antifungal activity of WS water extract (WSWE) against an itraconazole-resistant strain of S. globose with an IC50 of 1.40 mg/mL; the treatment with WS water extract reduced the growth of the S. globosa yeast form in a dose-dependent way. 159 Pharmacokinetic studies provide crucial information about how the body absorbs, metabolizes, and eliminates compounds from herbal extracts. This information is necessary for determining the optimal dose, duration of treatment, and potential drug interactions.…”

Withania somnifera-derived carbon dots protect human epidermal cells against UVB-induced cell death and support growth factor-mediated wound healing

“…21 Numerous studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-microbial effects of withanolides. 21–24…”

“…21 Numerous studies have highlighted the anti-inammatory, anti-tumor, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-microbial effects of withanolides. [21][22][23][24] In this study, we used a one-step microwave-based synthesis technique to create CDs from WS root hydromethanolic extract (WS extract). We have used the dynamic light scattering method (DLS), UV spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for examining the size distribution, zeta potential, chemical structure, and surface functional groups of WS CDs (wsCDs).…”