Nystatin is a polyene, broad-spectrum antibiotic. It can modify the microstructure of lipid rafts and sequestrate cholesterol present on the cell membrane of eukaryotes. Thus, nystatin can modulate immune responses. This is carried out through cytokine signaling, activation of lymphocytes and pathogen recognition.
Molecular Formula: C₅₁H₈₄N₂O₁₉
Molecular Weight: 1029.23

Nystatin water soluble is a Nystatin derivate with fungistatic and fungicidal activity in resemblance to Nystatin. However, as opposed to the poor solubility of Nystatin the water soluble derivate can be dissolved in concentration of up to 100mg/ml. Nystatin binds to ergosterol which increases cell membrane permeability in sensitive fungi. Nystatin is mainly clinically active against Candida species. However, it is also reported to be effective against Aspergillus, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatidis, and other yeasts and fungi. Nystatin has also been used to enrich mutants by negative selection in yeasts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Nystatin to Saccharomyces cerevisiae was reported to be 3μg/ml while for clinical isolates of Candida albicans the MIC was reported to be 4-16μg/ml.