Abstract

Objective: Fungal infections are fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. Candida species contributes to majority of infections and among them, Candida albicans has emerged as most frequent opportunistic pathogen that causes systemic and mucosal infections. Its control is difficult in immunocompromised individuals because of emergence of multidrugresistance as well as insufficiency in inhibitory potential of available drugs that pose challenge in controlling invasive mycosis. Additionally, antimycotic drugs exert multiple adverse effects and are occasionally dose limiting. In such circumstances, it has become crucial to find novel antifungal agent and its targets. Methods: In this study, the antifungal potential of α MSH and its mechanism of acti on was evaluated. In vitro fungicidal activity of α- MSH against C. albicans at range of concentrations, in different media, buffers, solvent (sterile water), at various pH and time points were examined. In order to understand its mode of action: membrane permeabilisation assay, electron microscopic and circular dichroism studies were performed. Results: This study validate that α-MSH exhibits strongest activity in water as compared to any growth media and buffers. It also shows that it possesses strong and rapid antifungal activity at specific pH against C. albicans which was mediated via conformational change in water that leads to membrane permeabilisation and disruption of cell wall structure. Conclusions: The study revealed that α-MSH activity is conce ntration, pH, solvent dependent and acquire characteristic conformation in water that is responsible for its candidacidal activity.