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Fungal inhibitory activity of sesquiterpenoids isolated from Laggera pterodonta

Summary

Researchers isolated six antifungal compounds from a traditional Chinese medicine plant called Laggera pterodonta. One compound called costic acid showed excellent ability to kill common crop-destroying fungi like P. nicotianae and F. oxysporum by damaging their cell membranes. These natural compounds could serve as safer alternatives to synthetic fungicides in agriculture, offering environmental benefits without toxic chemical residues.

Background

Laggera pterodonta, a traditional Chinese medicine plant, has demonstrated antifungal properties in preliminary studies. Plant-derived fungicides represent a promising alternative to synthetic pesticides due to their low toxicity and environmental compatibility. The phytochemical composition of L. pterodonta includes sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, and coumarins with documented pharmacological activities.

Objective

To isolate and structurally characterize eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids from L. pterodonta and evaluate their antifungal activity against six plant-pathogenic fungal species, including mechanisms of action and ADMET properties.

Results

Compound 1 demonstrated the strongest antifungal effects with EC50 values of 12.56 μg/mL against P. nicotianae, 51.29 μg/mL against F. oxysporum, and 47.86 μg/mL against G. fructigenum. Compounds 3 and 6 also showed notable inhibition against F. oxysporum and P. nicotianae respectively. Compound 1 induced ultrastructural deformations and compromised membrane integrity in treated fungi, with MICs of 200 and 400 μg/mL for P. nicotianae and F. oxysporum.

Conclusion

Six eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids from L. pterodonta exhibit selective antifungal activity, with compound 1 as the most potent candidate. The antifungal mechanism involves membrane disruption and cellular deformation. All three bioactive compounds demonstrated favorable ADMET profiles, indicating promising potential for development as eco-friendly plant-derived fungicides.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Plant Science,
  • Study Type:Experimental/Phytochemical Investigation,
  • Source: PMID: 40741120, DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1586984
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