Antifungal Agents of Fungal Origin: 19,20‑Epoxycytochalasin Q & Sophorolipid

The assessment of antifungal properties of bioactive compound 19, 20‑epoxycytochalasin Q (ECQ), isolated from medical mushroom Xylaria sp. BCC 1067 was investigated using biochemical analyses, omic technology, and media type selection. Strong synergy was observed for the combination of of Xylaria extract and antifungal ketoconazole. Xylaria extract-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species in some oxidant-prone strains and mediated plasma membrane rupture. Then, ECQ was isolated and found to target actin filament, disrupting actin dynamics of yeast cells. A cellular connection between multi-drug resistance, lipid metabolism and actin stability was examined using the model yeast S. cerevisiae. The effects of ECQ at very high levels on transcription shown by RNA-Seq indicated changes in expression of genes involved in virulence in Candida albicans. Importantly, combination of ECQ and antifungal drugs or lipid-derived sophorolipid displayed promising drug synergy against the model and pathogenic yeast strains, thereby providing potential solution for antifungal therapy and chemotherapeutic application. Culture optimization is carried out to reduce fungal cultivation time and enhances recovery yield