image: This is a researcher displaying inhibition of Candida albicans growth by chlorimuron ethyl. view more
Credit: PNAS
A study finds that some commercial herbicides can arrest the growth of human fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, and that the herbicides can act synergistically with itraconazole, an antifungal drug, to enhance activity; one commercial herbicide, chlorimuron ethyl, was tested in mice infected with Candida albicans, and the results revealed that chlorimuron ethyl reduced fungal burden in the lungs, liver, and spleen, suggesting that this class of compounds may represent potential antifungal drug candidates.
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Article #18-09422: "Commercial AHAS-inhibiting herbicides are promising drug leads for the treatment of human fungal pathogenic infections," by Mario Garcia et al.
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Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences