Evaluation of in vitro effects of plants derivatives on yeast cells

• Grant number: 18/20828-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Regina Helena Pires
• Grantee: Maria Cecília Pereira Sacardo Dias
• Home Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants and their derivatives for the treatment and relief of signs and symptoms of diseases is one of the oldest means used by man. Some products of plant origin have great therapeutic potential, which can be explored in studies, to demonstrate efficacy and safety in their use, through laboratory tests. Fungi of the genus Candida are the most isolated of immunocompromised individuals, especially as a cause of candidemia. Among the potential sources for new antifungal agents, we highlight the antimicrobial properties of essential oils extracted from various medicinal plants. The objective of this study is to evaluate the in vitro biological effects of vegetable derivatives on Candida yeasts. In this study, plants derivatives consisting of essential oils and plant extract, selected in previous studies: essential oils of Chinese pepper (Litsea cubeba), of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and scrub gourd (Citrus reticulata) and copaiba extract (Copaifera reticulata). The microorganisms that were susceptible to one or more of the cited oils were: C. glabrata ATCC 2001 (cypress oil and copaiba extract), C. krusei ATCC 6258 (Chinese pepper, cypress and gory scent) and C. orthopsilosis ATCC 96141 (cypress), by means of evaluation by the broth microdilution methodology with resazurin. The kinetics of inhibition of yeast growth after treatment with the selected plant product will be done by agar plating at predetermined times; changes in cell morphology will be detected by flow cytometry; the verification of cell membrane damage will be done by epifluorescence microscopy as well as its quantification by molecular fluorescence spectrometry. The quantification of potassium ions released by the treated cell in comparison to the untreated cells will be performed by means of a selective electrode. The investigation of anti-Candida mechanisms of plant products corroborates with studies of ethnobotany, aimed at new antifungal for the treatment of candidiasis, disease of public health relevance.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEDROSO, REGINALDO DOS SANTOS; BALBINO, BRENDA LORENA; ANDRADE, GESSICA; PEREIRA SACARDO DIAS, MARIA CECILIA; ALVARENGA, TAVANE APARECIDA; NASCIMENTO PEDROSO, RITA CASSIA; PIMENTA, LETICIA PEREIRA; LUCARINI, RODRIGO; PAULETTI, PATRICIA MENDONCA; JANUARIO, ANA HELENA; MENEZES CARVALHO, MARCO TULIO; DANTAS MIRANDA, MAYKER LAZARO; PIRES, REGINA HELENA. In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Candida spp. Activity of Plant-Derived Products. PLANTS-BASEL, v. 8, n. 11 NOV 2019. Web of Science Citations: 0.