Transcriptomics analysis reveals the effect of Pulsatilla Decoction Butanol Extract on endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisome function of Candida albicans in hyphal state

Ethnopharmacological Relevance:The traditional Chinese medicine formula known as Pulsatilla decoction was utilized to treat conditions such as bacterial dysentery, ulcerative colitis, and fungal infections like vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans). In our prior research, it was shown that the n-butanol extract from Pulsatilla Decoction (BEPD) exhibited effective inhibition of C. albicans. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism by which BEPD hinders hyphal growth, a critical virulence factor of C. albicans, remains unclear.Aim of the study: In the present study, the inhibitory effect and mechanism of the BEPD on C. albicans hyphal growth was predicted by transcriptome analysis, and further verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments.