Citral derivative activates cell cycle arrest and apoptosis signaling pathways in Candida albicans by generating oxidative stress

For combating life-threatening infections caused by Candida albicans there is an urgent requirement of new antifungal agents with a targeted activity and low host cytotoxicity. Manipulating the mechanistic basis of cell death decision in yeast may provide an alternative approach for future antifungal therapeutics. Herein, the effect of an active citral derivative (Cd1) over the physiology of cell death in C. albicans was assessed. The viability of C. albicans SC5314 cells was determined by broth microdilution assay. The crucial morphological changes and apoptotic markers in Cd1-exposed yeast cells were analyzed. Subsequently the results confirmed that Cd1 arrested growth and caused death in yeast cells. Furthermore, this molecule inhibited antioxidant enzymes that resulted in production of reactive oxygen species. DNA fragmentation and condensation, phosphatidylserine exposure at the outer leaflet of cell membrane, mitochondrial disintegration as well as accumulation of cells at G2/M phase of the cell cycle were recorded. Altogether, this derivative induced apoptotic-type cell death in C. albicans SC5314.