Diphyllin: An effective anticandidal agent isolated from Cleistanthus collinus leaf extract

In this study, diphyllin [9-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxynaphtho[2,3-c]furan-1(3H)-one] was isolated from Cleistanthus collinus leaf extract. The isolated compound and leaf extract were evaluated for their in vitro anticandidal activity against Candida strains such as Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata. Diphyllin was found to possess higher anticandidal activity against various Candida species with the Minimal Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of 85-145 μg and inhibition zone of 9.5 ± 0.5-13.5 ± 0.5 mm at 200 μg concentration against the yeast pathogens studied. Thus, diphyllin was twice more active than miconazole against C. glabrata.