Inner Leaf Gel of Aloe striata Induces Adhesion-Reducing Morphological Hyphal Aberrations

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Medical Mycology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Opportunistic mycoses caused by fungi like Fusarium and Paecilomyces pose significant health challenges.
• Limited efficacy and toxic side effects of current antifungal treatments necessitate the search for novel therapeutic agents.
• Traditional folk medicines, such as Aloe spp., are explored for their potential medicinal properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antifungal properties of Aloe striata inner leaf gel against common opportunistic fungal pathogens.
• To evaluate the effect of Aloe striata gel on fungal conidial germination and hyphal morphology.
• To assess the impact of Aloe striata treatment on the adhesion capabilities of Paecilomyces variotii.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of homogenized and filtered inner leaf gel from Aloe striata.
• Treatment of conidia from Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Paecilomyces variotii strains with Aloe striata gel.
• Microscopic observation of conidial germination and hyphal morphology.
• Assessment of fungal hyphal adhesion to microscope slides after washing.

Main Results:

• Aloe striata gel exhibited minimal inhibition of conidial germination in the tested fungal strains.
• Treatment with the gel significantly increased the frequency of hyphal aberrations, including increased diameters and non-parallel cell walls.
• Aberrated Paecilomyces variotii hyphae showed a significant decrease in adhesion to microscope slides after washing.

Conclusions:

• Aloe striata possesses compounds that induce structural abnormalities in fungal hyphae.
• These abnormalities, particularly in Paecilomyces variotii, lead to reduced hyphal adhesion, suggesting a potential mechanism for antifungal activity.
• Aloe striata demonstrates promise as a source for novel antifungal agents to combat opportunistic mycoses.