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Persenone A from Avocados Exhibits Potent Anti-Fungal Activity against Coccidioides

Vladimir Maslivetc1, Susana Tejeda-Garibay2, Adeola Fagbayibo2

  • 1Jack H. Skirball Center for Chemical Biology and Proteomics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, California92037, United States.

Journal of Natural Products
|July 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) treatments are limited. Researchers screened California plants for compounds inhibiting Coccidioides growth, identifying persenone A from avocados as a promising new therapeutic lead.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Pharmacognosy
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal respiratory illness caused by Coccidioides species, presents a growing public health concern due to its expanding endemic range.
  • Current therapeutic options for Valley fever exhibit limited efficacy and notable adverse effects, necessitating the search for novel treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of California's diverse flora as a source for new agents targeting early-stage Coccidioides development.
  • To identify natural compounds that can inhibit the growth and proliferation of Coccidioides fungal species.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a screening protocol integrating a colorimetric metabolism assay and microscopic imaging for evaluating plant extracts.
  • Application of the established screening protocol to a library of plant extracts sourced from local flora in San Diego, California.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of persenone A, a potent inhibitor of Coccidioides development, isolated from avocado plant extracts.
  • Successful identification of a natural compound with significant antifungal activity against the causative agents of Valley fever.

Conclusions:

  • Avocado-derived persenone A represents a promising lead compound for developing new therapeutic strategies against Coccidioidomycosis.
  • Botanical resources, particularly from regions like California, offer a valuable avenue for discovering novel antifungal agents.

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