Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens
09:57

Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens

Published on: February 14, 2011

Anti-inflammatory drugs selectively target sporangium development in Mucor

Ntsoaki J Leeuw1, Chantel W Swart, Desmond M Ncango

  • 1Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.

Canadian Journal of Microbiology
|December 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin selectively target sporangium development in Mucor circinelloides by inhibiting mitochondrial activity. This finding suggests potential applications for these antimitochondrial antifungals against Mucor infections.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is an anti-inflammatory and antimitochondrial drug.
  • Yeasts with high mitochondrial activity are sensitive to aspirin.
  • Mucor circinelloides sporangia exhibit increased mitochondrial activity and produce 3-hydroxyoxylipins, unlike Mortierella alpina.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the selective targeting of sporangium development in Mucor circinelloides by anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • To compare the effects of these drugs on Mucor circinelloides and Mortierella alpina.
  • To explore the potential of antimitochondrial antifungals against Mucor infections.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of Mucor circinelloides and Mortierella alpina with acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and other anti-inflammatory compounds (benzoic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, salicylic acid).
  • Observation of sporangium development and hyphal resistance.
  • Comparison of drug effects under normal and oxygen-limited conditions.

Main Results:

  • Acetylsalicylic acid and other tested anti-inflammatory drugs selectively targeted sporangium development in Mucor circinelloides.
  • Hyphae of Mucor circinelloides, with lower mitochondrial activity, showed greater resistance.
  • Mortierella alpina's sporangium development was not selectively targeted, and it was more sensitive to the drugs than Mucor circinelloides.
  • The observed effects mimicked those seen under oxygen-limited conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, acting as antimitochondrial agents, selectively inhibit Mucor circinelloides sporangium development.
  • Mortierella alpina exhibits differential sensitivity to these drugs.
  • Further research is warranted to evaluate the use of these antifungals for protecting plants and animals from Mucor infections.

More Related Videos

A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms06:50

A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms

Published on: September 16, 2022

High Yield Purification of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites For Use in Opsonizing Antibody Assays10:38

High Yield Purification of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites For Use in Opsonizing Antibody Assays

Published on: July 17, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira),...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...