Antifungal activity of Xylaria sp. BCC1067 extract against Candida albicans and ability to interfere drug efflux pump transporter

Fungal co-infections, especially Candida species, are prevalent in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The Candida spp. are common opportunistic fungal pathogens, among which C. albicansis commonly found. Up-regulation of the MDR1and CDR1genes associated with drug efflux transporters represents an important mechanism of antifungal drug resistance. Currently, effective antifungal agents from natural sources are increasingly used to fight drug-resistance. In this study, we found antifungal activity of natural extract from fungal Xylaria sp. BCC 1067 against yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants overexpressing drug efflux transporters CaMDR1. Moreover, plasma membrane perturbation leading to improper localization of CaMdr1p was observed after treatment. Drug efflux pumps have been reported as mechanisms responsible for the antifungal resistance. The potential of the Xylaria extract was further investigated and found antifungal activity against C. albicans.