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Torkashvand H, Jahanshiri Z. Effects of Capsaicin on the Growth and Virulence Factors of Aspergillus fumigatus. JoMMID 2025; 13 (4) : 7
URL: http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-818-en.html

Effects of Capsaicin on the Growth and Virulence Factors of Aspergillus fumigatus

Haniye Torkashvand

, Zahra Jahanshiri ^*

Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (31 Views)

Introduction: Emerging drug-resistant fungal pathogens and the limitations of current antifungal therapies necessitate the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of capsaicin on the growth and virulence factors of Aspergillus fumigatus AF293. Methods: The impact of capsaicin on fungal growth, ergosterol content, and gene expression was evaluated at concentrations up to 25 μg/mL, and on biofilm formation at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL. Expression levels of the PLB1, PLB2, PLD1, and PLD2 genes were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Capsaicin exhibited dose-dependent antifungal activity, inhibiting fungal growth (15.33–89.78%) and reducing ergosterol content (42.35–82.59%) at concentrations of 3.125–25 μg/mL. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) for fungal growth was estimated to be between 6.25 and 12.5 μg/mL. At the highest concentration tested (100 μg/mL), biofilm formation was significantly suppressed by 88.34%. PLB1 and PLB2 gene expression was downregulated in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal reductions of 56% and 63%, respectively, at 25 μg/mL. In addition, the expression of PLD1 and PLD2 genes decreased by 31.4% and 48.13%, respectively, at the highest tested concentration. Conclusion: Capsaicin demonstrates potent antifungal activity against A. fumigatus AF293 by inhibiting fungal growth, disrupting ergosterol biosynthesis, and reducing key virulence factors, including biofilm formation as well as PLB and PLD genes expression. These findings suggest that capsaicin is a promising lead compound for antifungal drug development.

Article number: 7

Keywords: Antifungal resistance, Aspergillus fumigatus AF293, Biofilm, Capsaicin, Ergosterol, Phospholipase B, Virulence factors

Type of Study: Original article | Subject: Microbial pathogenesis
Received: 2026/02/3 | Accepted: 2025/12/10 | Published: 2026/02/3

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