Abstract:
Objective Antifungal activity of furan-type lignans from Cinnamomum longepaniculatum on Fusarium proliferatum was investigated for utilization of the natural resource.
Methods Inhibitory effects of C. longepaniculatum lignans on spore germination and mycelial growth of F. proliferatum was tested to determine the structure-activity relationship (SAR) between the molecule and its biological activity. Subsequently, effects of the active chemical components on the mycelial morphology, dry weight, cell membrane conductivity, protein content, malondialdehyde (MDA), and reducing sugars as well as protective enzyme activities of the fungus were analyzed to understand the inhibition mechanism.
Results The tetrahydrofuran-type lignans of C. longepaniculatum exhibited potent antifungal activity on F. proliferatum. At the dosage of 100 µg·mL−1, it inhibited 16.7-75.2% mycelial growth of the fungus. The active (+)-piperitol in the lignans showed an EC50 of 38.615 µg·mL−1. Under the treatment, significantly, the fungal mycelia was morphologically altered, dry weight decreased, cell membrane conductivity raised, intracellular protein content declined, MDA increased, reducing sugar lowered, and activities of multiple protective enzyme systems reduced.
Conclusion The furan-type lignans from C. longepaniculatum displayed a potent in vitro antifungal activity on F. proliferatum. The efficacy appeared to closely correlate to its chemical structure, as indicated by the SAR analysis. The functions of mycelial cell membranes of the fungus were disrupted and the protective enzyme activities downregulating by the (+)-piperitol treatments resulting in inhibition of spore germination and retardation of mycelial development of the pathogen.