[Study on antifungal mechanism of alpha-pinene]

The antifungal mechanism of alpha-pinene was studied using electronic microscopy and incorporation of isotope-labelled precursor. The results demonstrated that alpha-pinene had significant roles in inhibiting and killing Candida albicans. After treatment with alpha-pinene the fungal morphology and ultrastructure showed obvious changes: their cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane ruptured; intracellular components released out and the cell residue fused to form irregular masses. In addition, the synthesis of DNA, RNA, polysaccharide of cell wall and ergosterol of cytoplasmic membrane was inhibited. It is indicated that these changes are related to antifungal mechanism of alpha-pinene.