Evaluation of the antifungal effect of isobavachalcone on pathogenic fungi causing superficial infection in vitro
XU Xiaoxi
CAO Zhixing
SONG Haizhen
CHEN Zongyao
HU Xiaodong
RAN Yuping
Abstract：Objective To evaluate the antifungal activity of isobavachalcone(IBC)against various Candida species,dermatophytes and Sporothrix in vitro.Methods The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC)of IBC were determined using the microdilution method,alongside commonly used antifungal drugs.The growth curves of Candida auris were plotted.Additionally,the effects of IBC on C.auris'growth and biofilm formation were investigated utilizing the XTT reduction assay,fluorescence staining,scanning electron microscopy,and transmission electron microscopy.Results Compared with other antifungal drugs,the MICs of IBC against various Candida species,dermatophytes and Sporothrix generally fell within the middle range.Notably,the MFC of IBC against most of the Candida species was found to be lower than that of other antifungal agents.Furthermore,IBC caused damage to the cell wall and membrane of C.auris,and its antifungal effects on growth and biofilm formation were concentration-dependent.Conclusion Isobavachalcone(IBC)emerges as a broad-spectrum and effective fungicidal agent,particularly exhibiting unique advantages in combating Candida infections.However,the safety of the drug must be established before its clinical implementation.
Keywords：isobavachalconeCandidaSporothrixdermatophytesdrug susceptibility testbiofilmultrastructural pathology
Publication Date：2026-02-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-19(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 22-27 )