Novel antifungal mechanism of resveratrol: Apoptosis inducer in Candida albicans

Juneyoung Lee, Dong Gun Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

Resveratrol (3,5,40-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a well-known natural polyphenolic compound that has garnered considerable interest because of its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics in humans. Although the antimicrobial activity of resveratrol has recently been focused, however, the antifungal activity and its mechanism are still largely unknown. Here, we report for the first time the potential of resveratrol as an apoptosis inducer in the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. The results showed that resveratrol exerted its effects from the early to the late stages of apoptosis and involved the activity of reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl radicals (•OH). DiOC6(3) and JC-1 staining indicated that loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) is a key event in resveratrol-induced apoptosis. Finally, we investigated metacaspase activation resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. The result showed that resveratrol strongly activated metacaspase and promoted cytochrome c release. In summary, resveratrol induces fungal apoptosis through a caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway and is a potential agent for treating human fungal diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)383-389
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Microbiology
Volume70
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Nov 2014

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