Antifungal activity of camptothecin, trifolin, and hyperoside isolated from Camptotheca acuminata.

Leaf spots and root rots are major fungal diseases in Camptotheca acuminata that limit cultivation of the plant for camptothecin (CPT), a promising anticancer and antiviral alkaloid. Bioassays showed that pure CPT and flavonoids (trifolin and hyperoside) isolated from Camptotheca effectively control fungal pathogens in vitro, including Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum, Pestalotia guepinii, Drechslera sp., and Fusarium avenaceum, although antifungal activity of these compounds in the plant is limited. CPT inhibited mycelial growth by approximately 50% (EC50) at 10-30 microg/mL and fully inhibited growth at 75-125 microg/mL. The flavonoids were less effective than CPT at 50 microg/mL, particularly within 20 days after treatment, but more effective at 100 or 150 microg/mL. CPT, trifolin, and hyperoside may serve as leads for the development of fungicides.