Causes Membrane Permeation of .

is a major fungal pathogen in humans. In our previous study, we reported that an ethanol extract from weakens cell wall by inhibiting synthesis or assembly of both (1,3)-β-D-glucan polymers and chitin. In the current study, we found that the extract is involved in permeabilization of cell membranes. While uptake of ethidium bromide (EtBr) was 3.0% in control cells, it increased to 7.4% for 30 min in the presence of the ethanol extract at its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.78 mg/ml, compared to uptake by heat-killed cells. Besides, leakage of DNA and proteins was observed in -treated cells. The increased uptake of EtBr and leakage of cellular materials suggest that ethanol extract induced functional changes in cell membranes. Incorporation of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) into membranes in the -treated cells at its MIC decreased to 84.8%, after 60 min of incubation, compared with that of the controls, indicate that there was a change in membrane dynamics. Moreover, the anticandidal effect of the ethanol extract was enhanced at a growth temperature of 40°C compared to that at 35°C. The above data suggest that the antifungal activity of the ethanol extract against is associated with synergistic action of membrane permeabilization due to changes in membrane dynamics and cell wall damage caused by reduced formation of (1,3)-β-D-glucan and chitin.