β-citronellol alters cell surface properties of Candida albicans to influence pathogenicity related traits

Abstract

The pathogenicity of Candida albicans, an opportunistic human fungal pathogen, is attributed to several virulence factors. β-citronellol is a monoterpenoid present in several plant essential oils. The present study explores the antifungal potential and mode of action of β-citronellol against C. albicans ATCC 90028 (standard), C. albicans D-27 (FLC-sensitive), and C. albicans S-1 (FLC-resistant). Anti-Candida potential was studied by performing MIC, MFC, growth curves, disc diffusion, spot assay, and WST1 cytotoxic assay. Morphological transition was monitored microscopically in both solid and liquid hyphae inducing media. β-citronellol inhibits yeast to hyphal transition in both liquid and solid hyphae inducing media. It had a significant inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and secretion of extracellular proteinases and phospholipases. We showed that it has an adverse effect on membrane ergosterol levels and modulates expression of related ERG genes. Expression profiles of selected genes associated with C. albicans pathogenicity displayed reduced expression in treated cells. This work suggests that β-citronellol inhibits morphological transition in C. albicans and decreases the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes involved in the early stage of infection as well as modulates the expression of associated genes. Pleiotropic phenotype shown by β-citronellol treated Candida cells suggests various modes of action. Further studies will assess the clinical application of β-citronellol in the treatment of fungal infections.

Back to Nature: Combating Candida albicans Biofilm, Phospholipase and Hemolysin Using Plant Essential Oils

“…Of the monoterpenes 1,8-cineole and αpinene from rosemary oil, α-pinene proved to be a very active compound, while 1,8-cineole has lower antifungal activity [53]. Additionally, the monoterpenoid β-citronellol decreases the hydrolytic enzymes secretion in C. albicans [54], consistent with the strong inhibition of phospholipase by rosemary oil in our study.…”

Insights into the Relationships Between Herbicide Activities, Molecular Structure and Membrane Interaction of Cinnamon and Citronella Essential Oils Components

“…For CitO, its antifungal activity was notably linked to the disruption of the cell membrane, followed by the leakage of cell constituents [19]. Cell disruption seems to be related to a modification of ergosterol content and production [20,21]. Lim and Shin [22] demonstrated that the effects of CitO on the membrane are not only due to the impairment of ergosterol biosynthesis, but also to a change in the lipid composition of the cell membrane.…”

Influence of Rosa damascena hydrosol on skin flora (contact culture) after hand-rubbing

“…Eugenol is a phenolic monoterpene and its antibacterial effect has been demonstrated against various bacterial species [ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ], [ 21 ]. Alpha-terpinol also has an antibacterial effect [ 22 ]. A recent study has reported that beta-citronellol has anti-fungal activity against Candida al bi ca ns [ 23 ].…”