The pathogenicity of Candida albicans, an opportunistic human fungal pathogen, is attributed to several virulence factors. β-citronellol is a monoterpenoid present in several plant essential oils. The present study explores the antifungal potential and mode of action of β-citronellol against C. albicans ATCC 90028 (standard), C. albicans D-27 (FLC-sensitive), and C. albicans S-1 (FLC-resistant). Anti-Candida potential was studied by performing MIC, MFC, growth curves, disc diffusion, spot assay, and WST1 cytotoxic assay. Morphological transition was monitored microscopically in both solid and liquid hyphae inducing media. β-citronellol inhibits yeast to hyphal transition in both liquid and solid hyphae inducing media. It had a significant inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and secretion of extracellular proteinases and phospholipases. We showed that it has an adverse effect on membrane ergosterol levels and modulates expression of related ERG genes. Expression profiles of selected genes associated with C. albicans pathogenicity displayed reduced expression in treated cells. This work suggests that β-citronellol inhibits morphological transition in C. albicans and decreases the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes involved in the early stage of infection as well as modulates the expression of associated genes. Pleiotropic phenotype shown by β-citronellol treated Candida cells suggests various modes of action. Further studies will assess the clinical application of β-citronellol in the treatment of fungal infections.

中文翻译：

---

β-香茅醇改变白色念珠菌的细胞表面特性以影响致病性相关性状。

白色念珠菌是一种机会性人类真菌病原体，其致病性归因于多种毒力因子。β-香茅醇是存在于几种植物精油中的单萜类化合物。本研究探讨了β-香茅酚对白色念珠菌ATCC 90028（标准），白色念珠菌D-27（对FLC敏感）和白色念珠菌S-1（对FLC耐药）的抗真菌潜力和作用方式。通过进行MIC，MFC，生长曲线，椎间盘扩散，斑点测定和WST1细胞毒性测定研究了抗念珠菌的潜力。在固态和液态菌丝诱导培养基中显微镜观察形态学转变。β-香茅醇在液体和固体菌丝诱导培养基中均抑制酵母向菌丝的转变。它对生物膜的形成以及细胞外蛋白酶和磷脂酶的分泌具有明显的抑制作用。我们表明它对膜麦角固醇水平有不利影响，并调节相关ERG基因的表达。与白色念珠菌致病性相关的所选基因的表达谱显示在处理过的细胞中表达降低。这项工作表明，β-香茅醇可抑制白色念珠菌的形态转变，并减少感染初期涉及的水解酶的分泌，并调节相关基因的表达。β-香茅醇处理的念珠菌细胞显示多效性表型表明了多种作用方式。进一步的研究将评估β-香茅醇在真菌感染治疗中的临床应用。白色念珠菌的致病性表明在处理过的细胞中表达降低。这项工作表明，β-香茅醇可抑制白色念珠菌的形态转变，并减少感染初期涉及的水解酶的分泌，并调节相关基因的表达。β-香茅醇处理的念珠菌细胞显示多效性表型表明了多种作用方式。进一步的研究将评估β-香茅醇在真菌感染治疗中的临床应用。白色念珠菌的致病性表明在处理过的细胞中表达降低。这项工作表明，β-香茅醇可抑制白色念珠菌的形态转变，并减少感染初期涉及的水解酶的分泌，并调节相关基因的表达。β-香茅醇处理的念珠菌细胞显示的多效性表型表明了多种作用方式。进一步的研究将评估β-香茅醇在真菌感染治疗中的临床应用。β-香茅醇处理的念珠菌细胞显示多效性表型表明了多种作用方式。进一步的研究将评估β-香茅醇在真菌感染治疗中的临床应用。β-香茅醇处理的念珠菌细胞显示多效性表型表明了多种作用方式。进一步的研究将评估β-香茅醇在真菌感染治疗中的临床应用。