Antifungal effect of Hevea brasiliensis latex with various fungi. Its synergistic action with amphotericin B against Candida albicans.

Antifungal activity of latex from Hevea brasiliensis was observed with various fungi in macrobroth dilution assays. The strongest antifungal effect was obtained with Trichosporon cutaneum (MIC 80% = 40.615 microg protein ml(-1), Kaff = 0.075 microg(-1) protein ml) and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC 80% = 56.078 microg protein ml(-1), Kaff = 0.059 microg(-1) protein ml). Amphotericin B was synergized with all H. brasiliensis latex concentrations tested. The rates of synergy were about 50, 44 and 55% with 15, 30 and 60 microg protein ml(-1) latex, respectively. The putative role of glycosidase activities measured in crude latex, especially alpha-d-mannosidase and N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase activities which are potentially able to split off intraparietal linkages between glycosidic residues, is discussed. The possible role of another antifungal factor associated with rubber particles of latex is suggested.