"Chemical and biological evaluation of Arrabidaea chica against Candida albicans"

• Grant number: 24/21468-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Adriana Aparecida Lopes
• Grantee: Lais Travaini Silveira
• Host Institution: Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Campus Ribeirão Preto. Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Arrabidaea chica is a member of the Bignoniaceae family, which is also known by a number of vernacular names, including carajuru, crajiru, pariri, cipó cruz, cóa-pyranga, guajuru, gujuru-piranga, oajuru, puca panga or pyranga. In indigenous culture, the plant is widely used in the form of a dye, as it contains a red pigment, for painting parts of the body in festive rituals and hunting, and as a protective measure for the skin against insects and damage. Recent studies have demonstrated that the extract and fractions of this species exhibit promising anti-Candida albicans activity. The assay was conducted using a TLC (thin-layer chromatography) technique, which integrates chromatographic separation with the detection of biological activity. It is well documented that the global incidence of pathogenic fungal infections, including aspergillosis, candidiasis and mucormycosis, increased significantly in the wake of the global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In 2022, the World Health Organization published a list of 19 priority fungal pathogens, which were identified as representing the greatest threat to public health. Candida albicans was identified as one of the high-priority fungal pathogens. The objective of this work is, therefore, to isolate, identify and perform MIC assays for a promising new drug against Candida albicans and prepare a topical formulation.