Role of Omeprazole as An Antifungal Agent

Abstract

The antifungal activity of various concentrations of omeprazole (0.1mg/ml, 0.25mg/ml, 0.5mg/ml, 1mg/ml, 2.5mg/ml, 5mg/ml, 10mg/ml, and 20mg/ml) were studied in different pH media (5 and 7) against Aspergillus niger, and Trichophyton urbrum.The laboratory results showed the inhibitory effect of omeprazole against Aspergillus niger at pH 7 and starting from concentration 10mg/ml, and against Trichophyton urbrum starting from 1mg/ml. While its antifungal activity in a medium with pH 5 was extended to reach the lower concentrations 0.25mg/ml against selected fungi. Accordingly, omeprazole is pH dependent.It seems that omeprazole changed cell membrane potential of selected fungal species which led to depolarization of cell membrane as a result of inhibition of the proton pump mechanism. This made the fungal cell not willing to uptake chemicals needed for living.Keywords: omeprazole, proton pump inhibitor, antifungal agent, Aspergillus niger, and Trichophyton urbrum.