[Activity of essential oil extracted from Artemisia argyi in inducing apoptosis of Candida albicans].

To explore the activity of essential oil extracted from Artemisia argyi (AAEO) in inducing the apoptosis of Candida albicans SC5314. The effect of AAEO on reactive oxygen species(ROS) and mitochondria membrane potential(MMP) of C. albicans SC5314 was detected by flow cytometry. Phosphatidylserine externalization was observed under fluorescence microscopic with Annexin-V/PI staining at the early stage of apoptosis in C. albicans. Metacaspase activity was observed under fluorescence microscopic with FITC-VAD-FMK staining at the early stage of apoptosis in C. albicans. C. albicans morphology was observed by DAPI nuclear staining and fluorescence microscopy. After intervention with 0.5 mL•L⁻¹ AAEO, apoptosis of C. albicans significantly increased, metacaspase activity increased, nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation, and intracellular ROS were significantly increased, and mitochondrial membrane potential decreased significantly. The certain concentrations of AAEO could induce the apoptosis of C. albicans. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.