[The antifungal action of polygalacic acid glycosides]

Triterpenoid glycosides obtained from Solidago virgaurea L. and Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae) inhibit the growth of human-pathogenic yeasts (Candida and Cryptococcus species). First results are given of the investigations on the mode of action and the relationships between structure and activity of these compounds. The intensity of growth inhibition is influenced particularly by the carbohydrate chains of the glycosides. Monodesmosidic as well as bisdesmosidic glycosides of polygalacic acid exert fungicidic effects.