Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus inhibits virulence factors and promotes metabolic changes in Candidayeast

Abstract

Introduction: This is the fi rst study to examine the in vitro susceptibility and the expression of virulence factors in Candida species in the presence of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum (Myrtaceae), a Brazilian plant known as paucravo. Additionally, the mechanisms of action of the crude ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of this plant were investigated. Methods: The in vitro susceptibility of Candida was tested using the broth microdilution method, whereas an XTT reduction assay was used for biofi lms. Adherence was determined by counting the number of yeast cells that adhered to 100 oral epithelial cells, and hyphal formation was verifi ed in the hyphal induction medium M199. Flow cytometry with propidium iodide and FUN-1 was performed to assess the mechanism of action. Results: The results revealed that the crude ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of P. pseudocaryophyllus inhibited the growth of Candida isolates at a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 64 to 256µg/mL, whereas the 50% sessile minimal inhibitory concentration (SMIC 50 ) ranged from 512 to >1,024µg/mL. Adherence and hyphal formation were signifi cantly reduced in the presence of the crude ethanol extract and both fractions. Although cell membrane injury was detected, the predominant mechanism of action appeared to be the alteration of yeast metabolism, as demonstrated by fl ow cytometry. Conclusions: Our results indicated that antifungal activity reduced the expression of virulence factors in yeast via the alteration of yeast metabolism, suggesting that the crude extract of P. pseudocaryophyllus and its fractions may contain novel antifungal agents.

Triagem toxicológica de extratos de Pimenta pseudocaryophyllum (Gomes) L.R. Landrum frente à Artemia salina Leach

“…Estudos fitoquímicos mostram que as folhas de P. pseudocaryophyllus apresentam compostos polifenólicos, como os taninos e flavonoides 8,9 e seu óleo essencial com fenilpropanoides 10,11 . As atividades antioxidante 12,13 , ansiolítica 14 , antifúngica 15,16 , antidepressiva 9 , anti-inflamatória e anti-hiperuricêmica 17 , inseticida 18 , antimicrobiana 19,20 foram descritas para esta espécie. Apesar dessas atividades, não há relatos sobre toxicidade desta espécie.…”

Developmental toxicity evaluation of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum, (E)‐methyl isoeugenol chemotype, in Wistar rats

“…Phytochemical surveys indicate that P. pseudocaryophyllus leaves are rich in tannins, flavonoids, and essential oils (Paula et al, , ), with over 60 identified compounds, including chavibetol (Marques et al, ); (5,5) ‐α‐farnesene (Santos et al, ); eugenol (Craveiro et al, ; Lima et al, ); citral (geranial/neral) (Nakaoka‐Sakita et al, ); ( E )‐asarone, elemicin, ( E )‐caryophyllene, and ( E )‐methyl‐isoeugenol (Paula et al, ); catechin and quercitrin (El Assal et al, ); oleanolic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and lupeol (Paula et al, ); and rutin and tannic acid (Campanini et al, ). In addition, Paula et al () found that P. pseudocaryophyllus has infraspecific variability due to genetically determined changes in biosynthetic routes of essential oils, creating chemically polymorphs specimens such as citral, ( E )‐caryophyllene, and ( E )‐methyl‐isoeugenol chemotypes.…”

“…Studies using crude extracts or essential oils obtained from P. pseudocaryophyllus leaves showed a wide potential of pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial (Lima et al, ; Paula et al, ; Custódio et al, ; Fernandes et al, ; El Assal et al, ; Suzuki et al, ; Yokomizo and Nakaoka‐Sakita, ), anxiolytic, antidepressant (Fajemiroye et al, , ), antinociceptive, anti‐inflammatory (Paula et al, ), and antioxidant (Campanini et al, , ). Additionally, Ferrari et al () have recently shown the anti‐hyperuricemic effects of P. pseudocaryophyllus extracts from leaves and branches in hyperuricemic rats.…”