Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026

08:54
Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
Published on: February 14, 2018
18.8K
Polyene-Based Derivatives with Antifungal Activities.
Kwanele Ngece1, Thabisa L Ntondini1, Vuyolwethu Khwaza1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Pharmaceutics
|August 29, 2024
Summary
Polyene antifungals disrupt fungal membranes but cause toxicity. Structural modifications, like adding amide linkers, create safer, more potent derivatives with enhanced antifungal activity.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Mycology
Background:
- Polyenes are potent antifungal agents targeting fungal cell membranes by binding to ergosterol.
- Limitations of current polyenes include high host cell toxicity and poor water solubility.
- Research focuses on developing safer and more effective polyene derivatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review structural modifications of polyene derivatives.
- To analyze their influence on therapeutic effects against fungal strains.
- To highlight advancements in synthesizing novel polyene-based compounds.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of key studies on polyene derivatives.
- Analysis of structure-activity relationships.
- Evaluation of synthesis strategies for improved polyenes.
Main Results:
- Structural modifications can significantly enhance antifungal properties.
- Incorporating amide linkers at the carboxylic moiety improves antifungal activity.
- Specific derivatives (4, 5, 6G, 18) show notable improvements.
Conclusions:
- Novel polyene derivatives with enhanced antifungal activity are achievable through targeted structural modifications.
- Amide linker incorporation is a promising strategy for developing safer and more potent antifungal agents.
- This review provides insights for designing next-generation polyene-based antifungal drugs.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Fungi
2.6K
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
2.6K
Fungal Group Zygomycota
2.1K
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
2.1K
Antifungal Agents
89
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...
89
Anthelminthic Agents
83
Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
83

