Exploring the Fluconazole-Resistance Modifying Activity and Potential Mechanism of Action of Fixed Oil from Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. (Caryocaraceae) against Candida Species.

The fixed oil from the inner mesocarp of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. is used in the Chapada do Araripe region of Brazil for the treatment of genitourinary candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, antifungal activity, reduction of fungal virulence, and the preliminary toxicity of the fixed oil from the inner mesocarp of C. coriaceum tested against three Candida yeasts. The oil was characterized by gas chromatography (GC-MS and GC-FID). Antifungal activity was assessed using the serial microdilution method. Additionally, the potential of the oil as an enhancer of fluconazole action was tested at sub-inhibitory concentrations (MIC/8). The mechanism of action of C. coriaceum fixed oil was determined by evaluating the inhibition of morphological transition in Candida spp. The chemical composition of the fixed oil of C. coriaceum comprised both unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Oleic (61 %) and palmitic (33 %) acids were the major constituents. Regarding its anti-Candida activity, the oil inhibited the growth of C. albicans (IC50 : 371 µg/mL) and C. tropicalis (IC50 : 830 µg/mL). Furthermore, the oil reversed the antifungal resistance of C. albicans and C. tropicalis, restoring the susceptibility to fluconazole and reducing their IC50 from 12.33 µg/mL and 362 µg/mL to 0.22 µg/mL and 13.93 µg/mL, respectively. The fixed oil of C. coriaceum completely inhibited the morphological transition of C. albicans and C. tropicalis at a concentration of 512 µg/mL, but exhibited limited low antifungal potential against C. krusei. The observed antifungal activity may be attributed to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the oil showed no toxic effect on the Drosophila melanogaster in vivo model. The fixed oil from the inner mesocarp of C. coriaceum emerge as a strong candidate for the development of new pharmaceutical formulations to treat infections caused by Candida spp.

Caryocar coriaceum fruits as a potential alternative to combat fungal and bacterial infections: In vitro evaluation of methanolic extracts.

Caryocar coriaceum, commonly known as 'pequi', is a medicinal species used traditionally for the herbal treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases in the Brazilian Northeast region. In this study, we investigated whether the fruits of C. coriaceum have bioactive chemical constituents against etiological agents of infectious diseases. The methanolic extract of the internal mesocarp of the fruits of C. coriaceum (MECC) was chemically analyzed and evaluated for its antimicrobial and drug-enhancing activity against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus), and Candida spp. strains. The extract had flavones, flavonols, xanthones, catechins, and flavanones as major classes. A total of 11.26 mg GAE/g of phenolics, and 5.98 mg QE/g of flavonoids were found. No intrinsic antibacterial activity was observed; however, the extract was able to intensify the action of gentamicin and erythromycin against multi-resistant strains. The anti-Candida effect observed in this study was mainly due to the formation of reactive oxygen species. The extract was capable of causing damage to the plasmatic membrane of Candida tropicalis through pores formation. Our findings partially support the ethnopharmacological uses of the fruit pulp of C. coriaceum against infectious and parasitic diseases.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Bioactivities of Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze.

Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze is a species widely used traditionally in the treatment of ailments, such as stomach pain, hemorrhoids, cough, verminosis, ulcer, liver disease, fever, influenza, nasal congestion, and inflammation. This review aims to provide a survey of available information on seven international electronic databases (Google Scholar, Medline, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed) about botanical aspects, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of M. suaveolens. Mesosphaerum suaveolens is a tropical America native species, but it can be found in several parts of the world as a ruderal plant. The species is the most studied species of the genus Lamiaceae due its phytochemical aspect, especially regarding the chemical composition of its essential oil. Besides the essential oils, M. suaveolens is a source of numerous secondary compounds such as triterpenes, diterpenes, and phenolic compounds, which are related to its biological activities, such as allelopathic, antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, and larvicidal activities as described in the literature.

Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L. ) Kuntze (bamburral) planta medicinal com potencial antioxidante e rica em polifenóis / Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze (pignut) a medicinal plant with antioxidant potential and abundant polyphenols

Introducción: Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), planta conocida como bamburral, se utiliza en la medicina popular; sin embargo, poco se sabe de sus componentes químicos, sus efectos tóxicos y sus propiedades terapéuticas. Objetivo: Caracterizar los compuestos polifenólicos de los extractos de M. suaveolens, así como su actividad antioxidante y tóxica. Métodos: Se analizaron los componentes químicos de los extractos acuoso y etanólico de las hojas frescas mediante HPLC-DAD, la actividad antioxidante de los extractos en diversas concentraciones (entre 4 y 1024 µg/mL) frente al radical libre DPPH acompañado de un control positivo (ácido ascórbico) y se evaluó la actividad tóxica de los extractos contra Artemia salina. Resultados: Los resultados indican que los extractos acuoso y etanólico tienen como compuesto mayoritario el ácido cafeico (13.27 y 15.09 mg/g, respectivamente). Los extractos posee elevada actividad antioxidante con concentración de inhibición al 50 % (IC50) de 7.06 µg/mL para el extracto etanólico, 20.32 µg/mL para el acuoso y 6.69 µg/mL para el ácido ascórbico. Ninguno de los extractos presentó toxicidad con el método analizado (p> 0,05). Conclusiones: Por lo tanto, se demuestra que los extractos no presentan toxicidad, pero presentan una gran capacidad para eliminar los radicales libres en el organismo y son una fuente natural para fabricar medicamentos.

Introduction: The species Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), commonly known as pignut, is used in folk medicine. However, little information is available about its chemical components, toxic effects and therapeutic properties. Objective: Characterize the polyphenolic compounds contained in M. suaveolens extracts, as well as their antioxidant and toxic activity. Methods: The chemical components of aqueous and ethanolic fresh leaf extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Evaluation was performed of the antioxidant activity of the extracts against DPPH free radical at various concentrations (between 4 and 1 1024 µg/ml) accompanied by a positive control (ascorbic acid), as well as their toxic activity against Artemia salina. Results: Caffeic acid is the most abundant compound in the aqueous and the ethanolic extracts (13.27 and 15.09 mg/g, respectively). The extracts display high antioxidant activity with a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of 7.06 µg/ml for the ethanolic extract, 20.32 µg/ml for the aqueous extract and 6.69 µg/ml for ascorbic acid. Neither extract displayed toxicity by the method used (p> 0.05). Conclusions: It was found that the extracts do not display any toxicity, are capable of eliminating free radicals from the body and are a natural source of raw materials for drug manufacture.