Inhibitory effects of Tribulus terrestris L. steroid saponin TTS-12 on formation of Candida albicans biofilm.

Objective To investigate the influence of TTS-12,a steroid saponin from Tribulus terrestris L.,on the formation of Candida albicans biofilm,and to discuss the possible mechanism.Methods The inhibition of C.albicans biofilm formation by TTS-12 was observed by confocal scanning laser microscopy;XTT method was used to investigate the influence of different concentrations of TTS-12 on C.albicans biofilm formation.The water-hydrocarbon two-phase assay was used to measure the cell surface hydrophobicity of C.albicans treated with different concentrations of TTS-12.The expression of CSH1 mRNA was measured by real-time RT-PCR.Results Compared with control group,TTS-12 treatment resulted in loose C.albicans biofilm,and it dose-dependently inhibited C.albicans biofilm formation.The cell surface hydrophobicity in the TTS-12-treated groups was lower than that in the control group;consistent with this,TTS-12-treated cells also expressed significantly lower levels of CSH1 mRNA than cells in control group(P0.01).Conclusion TTS-12 may inhibit the formation of C.albicans biofilm through inhibiting CSH1 gene expression.