Abafungin is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent with a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of dermatomycoses.

Abasol is a topical cream formulation of abafungin by York Pharma.

Mechanism of action

Like imidazole

Imidazole

Imidazole is an organic compound with the formula C3H4N2. This aromatic heterocyclic is a diazole and is classified as an alkaloid. Imidazole refers to the parent compound, whereas imidazoles are a class of heterocycles with similar ring structure, but varying substituents...

- and triazole

Triazole

Triazole refers to either one of a pair of isomeric chemical compounds with molecular formula C2H3N3, having a five-membered ring of two carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms.The two isomers are:*1,2,3-Triazole 100px*1,2,4-Triazole 100px...

-class antifungals, abafungin inhibits the fungal cytochrome P450 enzyme 14α-demethylase. This inhibition prevents the conversion of lanosterol

Lanosterol

Lanosterol is a tetracyclic triterpenoid, which is the compound from which all steroids are derived.-Role in creation of steroids:Elaboration of lanosterol under enzyme catalysis leads to the core structure of steroids. 14-Demethylation of lanosterol by CYP51 eventually yields...

 to ergosterol

Ergosterol

Ergosterol is a sterol found in fungi, and named for ergot, a common name for the members of the fungal genus Claviceps from which ergosterol was first isolated. Ergosterol does not occur in plant or animal cells...

, an essential component of the fungal cytoplasmic membrane.

In addition, abafungin inhibits the enzyme sterol 24-C-methyltransferase

Sterol 24-C-methyltransferase

In enzymology, a sterol 24-C-methyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reactionThus, the two substrates of this enzyme are S-adenosyl methionine and 5alpha-cholesta-8,24-dien-3beta-ol, whereas its two products are S-adenosylhomocysteine and...

, modifying the composition of the fungal membrane.

Abafungin has antibiotic activity against gram-positive bacteria as well as sporicidal

Spore

In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...

activity.