Induction of Oxidative stress response in Aspergillus fumigatus when exposed to Malva parviflora ethyl acetate extract

Abstract

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is capable of causing a range of diseases in
immunocompromised individuals and is responsible for up to 3% of all hospital-based
deaths in the EU. Exposure of A. fumigatus hyphae to antifungal drugs leads to a release of
amino acids and gliotoxin. Aspergillus spp. poses a life threat to society, and particularly
immunocompromised patients, since many strains have shown resistance towards the
existing antifungal agents. Medicinal plants provide new hope in the fight against
Aspergillus infections.
The Malva parviflora ethyl acetate extract have anti-fungal activity which have been
recently introduced and shows excellent in vitro activity against Candida and Aspergillus
species. The aim of the work presented here was to characterise the response of A.fumigatus
to Malva parviflora ethyl acetate extract. The results obtained demonstrated that extract
has potent anti-fungal activity and retards fungal growth. Exposure of A. fumigatus hyphae
to this extract leads to a release of amino acids and proteins as demonstrated by 1- and 2-
dimensional gel electrophoresis. Mass spectrometry was employed to identify a number of
escaped peptides were found upon exposure to the ethyl acetate extract. LC-MS was
employed to identify a number of escaped peptides that were found to have change in
intensity upon exposure to the extract; several released e.g [IgE binding protein] and
synthesised protein e.g [Allergen Asp F3] were identified. The result presented in this study
demonstrate that extract have an effect on the release of protein which synthesised in the
cells and could lead to improve the immune response of the aspergillus in vivo. This study
illustrate that, in addition to activity on the enzyme responsible for synthesis of glucan in
cell wall, these extract may also interfere with the permeability of the cell wall of A.
fumigatus.