Effects of cisplatin and two novel palladium complexes on Candida albicans.

The effects of cisplatin and two novel palladium complexes of possible cancer chemotherapeutic value on the yeasts Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were studied. All three drugs had growth inhibitory effects. Significant effects on uridine uptake by all three drugs were seen, but inhibition of thymidine uptake was either small or non-existent. A marked stimulatory effect of all of the complexes on cell respiration was observed after 16 h growth in their presence. In some cases immediate stimulation of cellular respiration was invoked on drug treatment. The palladium complexes caused extensive mycelial growth of C. albicans whilst cisplatin induced pseudohyphal growth. Results are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms of action of the drugs.