Antifungal Activity of a Hydroethanolic Extract From Astronium urundeuva Leaves Against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

Author(s):Show less -

Bonifacio, Bruna Vidal ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Machado Vila, Taissa Vieira ^{[2, 3]} ; Masiero, Isadora Fantacini ^[1] ; da Silva, Patricia Bento ^[1] ; da Silva, Isabel Cristiane ^[1] ; Lopes, Erica de Oliveira ^[1] ; dos Santos Ramos, Matheus Aparecido ^[1] ; de Souza, Leonardo Perez ^[4] ; Vilegas, Wagner ^[5] ; Pavan, Fernando Rogerio ^[1] ; Chorilli, Marlus ^[1] ; Lopez-Ribot, Jose Luis ^{[2, 3]} ; Bauab, Tais Maria ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Texas San Antonio, Dept Biol, San Antonio, TX 78249 - USA

^[3] Univ Texas San Antonio, South Texas Ctr Emerging Infect Dis, San Antonio, TX 78249 - USA

^[4] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Chem, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[5] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Biosci, Sao Vicente - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY; v. 10, NOV 15 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

We have previously reported on the activity of different extracts from Astronium sp. against Candida albicans, with the hydroethanolic extract prepared from leaves of A. urundeuva, an arboreal species widely distributed in arid environments of South America and often used in folk medicine, displaying the highest in vitro activity. Here we have further evaluated the antifungal activity of this extract against strains of C. albicans and C. glabrata, the two most common etiological agents of candidiasis. The extract was tested alone and loaded into a nanostructured lipid system (10% oil phase, 10% surfactant and 80% aqueous phase, 0.5% Poloxamer 407 (R)). In vitro susceptibility assays demonstrated the antifungal activity of the free extract and the microemulsion against both Candida species, with increased activity against C. glabrata, including collection strains and clinical isolates displaying different levels of resistance against the most common clinically used antifungal drugs. Checkerboard results showed synergism when the free extract was combined with amphotericin B against C. albicans. Serial passage experiments confirmed development of resistance to fluconazole but not to the free extract upon prolonged exposure. Although preformed biofilms were intrinsically resistant to treatment with the extract, it was able to inhibit biofilm formation by C. albicans at concentrations comparable to those inhibiting planktonic growth. Cytotoxicity assays in different cell lines as well as an alternative model using Artemia salina L. confirmed a good safety profile of the both free and loaded extracts, and an in vivo assay demonstrated the efficacy of the free and loaded extracts when used topically in a rat model of vaginal candidiasis. Overall, these results reveal the promise of the A. urundeuva leaves extract to be further investigated and developed as an antifungal. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/25432-0 - In vitro and in vivo anti-Candida albicans and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of extracts of Astronium sp. incorporated or not into nanostructured systems
• Grantee: Taís Maria Bauab
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/52237-9 - Standardized herbal medicines for the treatment of chronic diseases
• Grantee: Wagner Vilegas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/19011-8 - Astronium urundeuva extract as antifungal agent: exploring the mechanism of action against Candida sp.
• Grantee: Bruna Vidal Bonifácio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/25121-5 - Chemical-biological prospecting of hydroethanolic extracts of leaves from Astronium urundeuva in the investigation of the antifungal potential
• Grantee: Bruna Vidal Bonifácio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate