Naphtoquinones: Biological potencial and perspectives as antifungal agents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i1.50492Keywords:
Pathogenic fungi, Antifungals, Naphtoquinones, Mechanisms of action.Abstract
Fungal infections represent a growing global public health concern, particularly due to the limited number of available antifungal classes, the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, and the high toxicity associated with current therapies. In this context, naphthoquinones have gained attention as promising bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the antifungal activity of semisynthetic naphthoquinones against clinically relevant pathogenic fungi, like Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Aspergillus spp., and Sporothrix spp. The chemical diversity of naphthoquinones, their semisynthetic modifications, and structure–activity relationships are discussed, highlighting how substituent position and molecular polarity influence antifungal efficacy. In addition, the main proposed mechanisms of action are examined, including redox cycling, generation of reactive oxygen species, interaction with fungal membranes, disruption of osmotic balance, and covalent binding to cellular nucleophiles. The review also addresses toxicity and selectivity profiles reported in in vitro and in vivo studies, emphasizing the balance between antifungal potency and host cell safety. Overall, semisynthetic naphthoquinones emerge as valuable chemical frameworks for the development of new antifungal agents, offering potential alternatives to overcome resistance and reduce adverse effects associated with conventional antifungal drugs.
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