In vitro antifungal activity of 2-(3,4-dimethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1-methylethyl pentanoate, a dihydropyrrole derivative.

A novel compound 2-(3,4-dimethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1-methylethyl pentanoate was isolated from the plant Datura metel L. The in vitro activity of this dihydropyrrole derivative against Aspergillus and Candida species was evaluated by using standard methods approved by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The compound was found to be active against all the species tested, namely Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The MIC at which more than 90% of growth was inhibited (MIC(90)) by the compound ranged from 21.87 to 43.75 microg ml(-1) against various fungal species by microbroth dilution assay. Since the compound 2-(3,4-dimethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1-methylethyl pentanoate has antifungal activity it can be explored further to develop new antimycotic drugs.