Butenafine

Butenafine is a benzylamine derivative. Butenafine inhibits squalene epoxidase, an enzyme involved in fungal cell membrane synthesis. This enzyme is responsible for converting squalene into 2,3-epoxysqualene, an early step in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. By inhibiting squalene epoxidase, butenafine reduces downstream ergosterol production, leading to incomplete fungal cell membrane structure. At the same time, squalene continuously accumulates because it cannot be converted into 2,3-epoxysqualene, producing toxic effects that ultimately suppress fungal growth and can cause cellular damage.