Fungal pollution of indoor environments contributes to several allergic symptoms and represents a public health problem. It is well-established that 1-octen-3-ol, also known as mushroom alcohol, is a fungal volatile organic compound (VOC) commonly found in damp indoor spaces and responsible for the typical musty odor. Previously it was reported that exposure to 1-octen-3-ol induced inflammations and disrupted mitochondrial morphology and bioenergetic rate in Drosophila melanogaster. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of 1-octen-3-ol on dehydrogenase activity, apoptotic biomarkers, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as antioxidant enzymes activities. D. melanogaster flies were exposed to an atmosphere containing 1-octen-3-ol (2.5 or ∞l/L) for 24 hr. Data demonstrated that 1-octen-3-ol decreased dehydrogenases activity and NO levels but increased ROS levels accompanied by stimulation of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities without altering caspase 3/7 activation. These findings indicate that adverse mitochondrial activity effects following exposure of D. melanogaster to 1-octen-3-ol, a fungal VOC, may be attributed to oxidant stress. The underlying mechanisms involved in adverse consequences of indoor fungal exposure appear to be related to necrotic but not apoptotic mechanisms. The adverse consequences were sex-dependent with males displaying higher sensitivity to 1-octen-3-ol. Based upon on the fact that the fly genome shares nearly 75% of disease-related genes to human exposure to this fungus may explain the adverse human responses to mold especially for males.

The infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common but overlooked non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Treatment relies on one class of drugs, the 5-nitroimidazoles, but resistance is widespread. New drugs are urgently needed. We reported the effect of crude and purified saponin fractions of Manilkara rufula against Trichomonas vaginalis. The compound responsible for antitrichomonal activity was isolated and identified as an uncommon bidesmosic saponin, Mi-saponin C. This saponin eliminated parasite viability without toxicity against the human vaginal epithelial line (HMVII). In addition, the isolated saponin fraction improved the metronidazole effect against a metronidazole-resistant isolate and dramatically reduced the cytoadherence of T. vaginalis to human cells. Investigation of the mechanism of death showed that the saponin fraction induced the parasite death due to profound membrane damage, inducing a disturbance of intracellular content without nuclear damage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antitrichomonal activity in the bidesmosic saponins of Manilkara rufula.

Prasiola crispa is a macroscopic green algae found in abundance in Antarctica ice free areas. Prasiola crispan-hexaneextract (HPC) induced insecticidal activity in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches after 24 h of exposure. The chemical analysis of HPC revealed the presence of the followingphytosterols: β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. The incubation of cockroach semi-isolated heart preparations with HPC caused a significant negative chronotropic activity in the heartbeats. HPC affected the insect neuromuscular function by inducing a complete inhibition of the cockroach leg-muscle twitch tension. When the isolated phytosterols were injected at in vivo cockroach neuromuscular preparations, there was a progressive inhibition of muscle twitches on the following order of potency: β-sitosterol > campesterol > stigmasterol. HPC also provoked significant behavioral alterations, characterized by the increase or decrease of cockroach grooming activity, depending on the dose assayed. Altogether, the results presented here corroborate the insecticide potential of Prasiola crispa Antarctic algae. They also revealed the presence of phytosterols and the involvement of these steroidal compounds in the entomotoxic activity of the algae, potentially by modulating octopaminergic-cholinergic pathways. Further phytochemical-combined bioguided analysis of the HPC will unveil novel bioactive compounds that might be an accessory to the insecticide activity of the algae.