Sixteen convolvulaceous glycolipids selected from the tricolorin (1-7) and orizabin (8-16) series, proved to be strong in vitro inhibitors of the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of 1,3-beta-D-glucan, a major polymer of fungal cell-walls. Results provide an insight into function of the specific structures of these complex macrocyclic lactones as inhibitors of the 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase and open the possibility of using these compounds as starting points for the development of antifungal agents that act by inhibiting fungal cell-wall synthesis
