Inhibitory effect and safety of Angelica dahurica–Ligusticum sinense extracts against Malassezia furfur and its biofilms
4 affiliations
- 1Dermatology Department, Fujian Provincial Geriatric Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- 2College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- 3Dermatology Department, Dermatology Hospital of Fuzhou, Fuzhou First General Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- 4Department of Infectious, Fujian Provincial Geriatric Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of different Angelica dahurica–Ligusticum sinense extracts (ethanolic, aqueous, and cold-pressed) against planktonic cells and biofilms of Malassezia furfur. Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was used to quantify the major constituents. Micro-broth dilution determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and time–kill assays assessed fungicidal kinetics. Crystal violet staining assay (CVA) and XTT reduction assays quantified inhibition of biofilm biomass formation/metabolic activity and reduction of mature biofilms. Dermal irritation of the ethanolic extract was evaluated in rats. Results: UPLC showed that the ethanolic extract contained the highest levels of ferulic acid, bergapten, oxypeucedanin, imperatorin, and isoimperatorin. The MIC of the ethanolic extract was 5 mg/mL, superior to those of the aqueous and cold-pressed extracts (10 mg/mL each). A time–kill study revealed rapid fungicidal activity at 8 × MIC. Biofilm assays demonstrated that 0.5× and 1 × MIC of the ethanolic extract significantly inhibited biofilm formation (P < 0.05), whereas 8 × MIC effectively eradicated pre-formed biofilms, markedly reducing biomass and metabolic activity (P < 0.01). No cutaneous irritation was observed in rats at 8 × MIC. Conclusion: The A. dahurica-L. sinense ethanolic extract potently inhibited and eradicated M. furfur planktonic cells and biofilms with favorable safety. This activity may be attributable to its high content of coumarins and phenolic acids, suggesting its potential as a natural agent for the treatment of M. furfur-associated skin disorders.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026inhibitory,
title = {{Inhibitory effect and safety of Angelica dahurica–Ligusticum sinense extracts against Malassezia furfur and its biofilms}},
author = {Jinyan Zhang and Yingzheng Wang and Yinghao Wang and Borui Chen and Huan Li},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357601},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357601},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Inhibitory effect and safety of Angelica dahurica–Ligusticum sinense extracts against Malassezia furfur and its biofilms
AU - Jinyan Zhang
AU - Yingzheng Wang
AU - Yinghao Wang
AU - Borui Chen
AU - Huan Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/15
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357601
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357601
AB - Objective: To evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of different Angelica dahurica–Ligusticum sinense extracts (ethanolic, aqueous, and cold-pressed) against planktonic cells and biofilms of Malassezia furfur. Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was used to quantify the major constituents. Micro-broth dilution determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and time–kill assays assessed fungicidal kinetics. Crystal violet staining assay (CVA) and XTT reduction assays quantified inhibition of biofilm biomass formation/metabolic activity and reduction of mature biofilms. Dermal irritation of the ethanolic extract was evaluated in rats. Results: UPLC showed that the ethanolic extract contained the highest levels of ferulic acid, bergapten, oxypeucedanin, imperatorin, and isoimperatorin. The MIC of the ethanolic extract was 5 mg/mL, superior to those of the aqueous and cold-pressed extracts (10 mg/mL each). A time–kill study revealed rapid fungicidal activity at 8 × MIC. Biofilm assays demonstrated that 0.5× and 1 × MIC of the ethanolic extract significantly inhibited biofilm formation (P < 0.05), whereas 8 × MIC effectively eradicated pre-formed biofilms, markedly reducing biomass and metabolic activity (P < 0.01). No cutaneous irritation was observed in rats at 8 × MIC. Conclusion: The A. dahurica-L. sinense ethanolic extract potently inhibited and eradicated M. furfur planktonic cells and biofilms with favorable safety. This activity may be attributable to its high content of coumarins and phenolic acids, suggesting its potential as a natural agent for the treatment of M. furfur-associated skin disorders.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -