Dithianon is a broad-spectrum anthraquinone fungicide with good adherence to the surface of leaves and fruits. Dithianon is used to control several several fungal of some fruits and vegetables, as anthracnose (Colletotrichum sp., Elsinoe ampelina), mildew (Plasmopara viticola), phomopsis (Phomopsis viticola), among others^[1][2]. IC50 & Target: Reactive oxygen species (ROS)^[1]
Colletotrichum sp.; Elsinoe ampelina; Plasmopara viticola; Phomopsis viticola^[1] In Vitro: When exponentially aerobic growing cells of S. cerevisiae are submitted to acute Dithianon treatment they loss cell wall and membrane integrity, dying by necrosis, and this behavior is associated to a depletion of reduced proteic and non-proteic thiol groups. An important increase of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated to mitochondrial membrane potential modifications on Dithianon treated cells are also detected^[1].
In filamentous fungus, Dithianon inhibits mycelial growth and conidial germination. Studies on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and yeast cells showed that Dithianon inhibits respiration and fermentation affecting several thiol enzymes of the glycolytic pathway as hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and glyceraldeyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase^[1].
Dithianon has in vitro cytotoxic effect and affect cell transforming activity of BLAB/c 3 T3 cells^[1]. In Vivo: The activity of testosterone hydroxylase of liver microsomes derived from male mice is increased when they are treated with acute doses of Dithianon, while in females an inactivating effect is observed^[1].