The Influence of Dicranium scoparium Moss Extract on the Growth of the Yeast Candida guilliermondii NP-4

Abstract

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development of numerous pathological conditions, including neurological disorders, ischemia, and cancer. Secondary metabolites in bryophytes - such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and bibenzyls - possess strong antioxidant properties comparable to ascorbic acid and tocopherol. These compounds also exhibit notable antibacterial and antifungal activities. This research aimed to investigate the antifungal effects of Dicranum scoparium extract on yeast cells and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Candida guilliermondii was selected as the model organism due to its involvement in human pathologies and its high resistance to multiple antifungal agents. In our study, extracts from the moss D. scoparium were found to contain 17.53 μg GAE g^-1 of phenolic compounds, demonstrate catalase activity of 83.91 μmol s⁻¹, and exhibit an IC₅₀ value of 21.12 μg mL^-1. Treatment with aqueous moss extract inhibited yeast colony formation and mitotic activity. The extract also led to a 50% reduction in malondialdehyde levels, indicating suppressed lipid peroxidation, likely due to the activity of bioactive secondary metabolites. Moreover, the moss extract enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in yeast by 32%, contributing to reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and potential relief from oxidative stress. Mitochondrial enzyme assays revealed a 30% increase in total ATPase activity and a 28% increase in H⁺-ATPase activity in whole-cell homogenates. In contrast, mitochondrial homogenates exhibited significant declines in ATPase (68%) and H⁺-ATPase (48%) activities, suggesting mitochondrial damage and possible respiratory chain disruption.These findings support the potential application of D. scoparium extract as a natural antifungal agent with additional antioxidative benefits.