ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Anti-Candida sp. activity of Astronium urundeuva derivatives free and loaded into a nanostructured lipid system

Bruna Vidal Bonifácio, Flávio Alexandre Carvalho, Luiza de Oliveira Mota, Patrícia Bento da Silva, Leonardo Perez de Souza, Wagner Vilegas, Marlus Chorilli, André Gonzaga dos Santos, and Taís Maria Bauab

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Drugs and Medicines, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil

E-mail: andre.gonzaga@unesp.br

Received: 14 July 2023  Accepted: 1 October 2023

Abstract:

Infections caused by Candida species increased, as well as species resistant to the most conventional antimicrobials. Thus, the search for new natural sources of antimicrobials without adverse effects also increased. In this case, Astronium urundeuva Engl., a medicinal plant with several pharmacological activities, including antifungal activity, emerges as a source of antifungal compounds. Here, we evaluated the antifungal activity of A. urundeuva and its derivatives free or loaded into a nanostructured lipid system and combination studies against Candida species. A. urundeuva component's purification and identification were performed through chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, respectively. The major components identified were gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), ethyl gallate (3), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galoyl-β-D-glucose (PGG) (4). A. urundeuva extract, its aqueous fraction, and PGG (4) exhibited the same MIC values between 0.2 and 62.5 µg/mL against Candida species being classified as significant activity, while the amphotericin B MIC was 0.1–1.2 µg/mL. Combination assay demonstrated that may occur synergism (0.37) between gallic acid (1) x methyl gallate (2). Thus, the results demonstrated as PGG (4) much as the gallic acid (1) x methyl gallate (2) combined might be the main responsible for the antifungal activity against Candida species, mainly Candida glabrata ATCC 2001 and that the tested nanostructured system maintained the antifungal activity. Through the antifungal activity of the extract and purified compounds, the extract may be employed in the development of antifungal herbal medicine, because its purification process is simple and greener than pure compounds.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Antifungal activity; PGG; Ethyl gallate; Tannins

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-023-03134-2

Chemical Papers 78 (2) 973–979 (2024)