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Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
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Antifungal potential of disulfiram

Seema Khan1, Smita Singhal, Tarun Mathur

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, New Drug Discovery Research, R and D III, Sarhaul, Sector-18, Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Gurgaon-122001, India.

Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology
|August 2, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Disulfiram, an established alcohol-deterrent drug, demonstrates significant antifungal properties against yeast and Aspergillus species. This finding suggests potential new therapeutic applications for disulfiram beyond alcohol deterrence.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Mycology
  • Antimicrobial Research

Background:

  • Disulfiram is an FDA-approved drug used to treat alcohol dependence, known for its safety and bioavailability.
  • Recent research indicates disulfiram modulates P-glycoprotein efflux pumps.
  • The antifungal potential of disulfiram has not been previously explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antifungal activity of disulfiram against common fungal pathogens.
  • To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of disulfiram for yeast and Aspergillus species.

Main Methods:

  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays were performed.
  • Disulfiram's efficacy was tested against both fluconazole-sensitive and fluconazole-resistant yeast strains.
  • Activity against Aspergillus species was also evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Disulfiram exhibited potent antifungal activity against yeast isolates, with MIC50 and MIC90 values of 4 and 8 microg/ml, respectively.
  • The drug was effective across a MIC range of 1-16 micro g/ml for both susceptible and resistant yeast.
  • Disulfiram demonstrated fungicidal activity against Aspergillus spp., with MIC50 and MIC90 values of 2 and 8 microg/ml.

Conclusions:

  • Disulfiram possesses significant antifungal properties against yeast and Aspergillus species.
  • The established safety profile of disulfiram suggests its potential repurposing for fungal infections.
  • Further research is warranted to explore disulfiram's clinical utility as an antifungal agent.

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