Antifungal properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) against Aspergillus spp. in vitro

Int J Med Microbiol. 2002 Mar;291(8):655-7. doi: 10.1078/1438-4221-00174.

Abstract

This study shows that 5-hydroxytrypatmine (5-HT, serotonin) is fungicidal towards conidia and hyphae of clinical isolates of Aspergillus (A.) fumigatus, A. flavus and A. terreus. The minimal fungicidal concentrations for Aspergillus conidia and hyphae ranged between 14.68 to 117.5 mM and 29.37 to 235 mM during 24 and 48 h of incubation. Several serotonin receptor antagonists (5-HT2, 5-HT3) studied in vitro did not influence antifungal activity.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aspergillus / drug effects*
  • Aspergillus / metabolism
  • Aspergillus / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Serotonin / pharmacology*
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Serotonin