Copaiba Oil and Its Constituent Copalic Acid as Chemotherapeutic Agents against Dermatophytes

Abstract

Copaiba oil, an oleoresin extracted from Copaifera genus, has been widely used in popular medicine for the treatment of several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of the copaiba oil and its isolated compounds caryophyllene oxide, copalic acid and acetoxycopalic acid against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum strains, using microdilution method and microscopy techniques. It was found that the copaiba oil and the copalic acid were active against dermatophytes by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) tests. The MIC and MFC of copaiba oil against T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum were 125 μg mL-1 (250 μg mL-1), 500 μg mL-1 (500 μg mL-1) and 250 μg mL-1 (250 μg mL-1), respectively. For copalic acid, the MIC and MFC were 50 μg mL-1 (100 μg mL-1), 100 μg mL-1 (100 μg mL-1) and 50 μg mL-1 (100 μg mL-1), respectively. Fluorescence microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy were used to investigate inhibition on hyphal growth by compounds, copaiba oil and copalic acid, showing a strong inhibition and an irregular growth pattern. Cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane and intracellular contents were also damaged. In conclusion, copaiba oil and copalic acid showed great activity against dermatophytes, being potential compounds for the development of antifungal drugs.

The effect of extraction methods on the yields, chemical composition and antifungal activity of sawdust Cedrus atlantica Manetti essential oils

“…This is related to their majority compounds. This was confirmed with the studies byNakamura et al (2017). which showed that copalic acid has a greater antifungal property.…”

Biomimetic Metabolism of Kaurenoic Acid Validated by Microsomal Reactions

“…Kaurenoic acid (1) is a major constituent of two of the most consumed phytomedicines in Brazil: the copaiba oil (Copaifera spp., Fabaceae) (Çiçek et al 2020) and the guaco syrup (Mikania spp., Asteraceae), in addition to other nonmedicinal plants (e.g., Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski, Asteraceae). This compound was previously reported as an antinociceptive (Veiga et al 2001;Rufatto et al 2012;Nakamura et al 2017), anti-inflammatory (Paiva et al 2002), and antifungal (Cotoras et al 2004;García et al 2007) agent. Recently, kaurenoic and copalic acids isolated from copaiba oleoresin showed passive permeability using Caco-2 cells (Mauro et al 2019) giving additional support for the traditional use of copaiba oil (Breitbach et al 2013).…”

Screening de óleos essenciais contra Lecanicillium fungicola

“…A CIM foi definida como a menor concentração de óleo essencial em que não ocorreu crescimento fúngico (Yamaguchi et al, 2011). Para determinar a CFM, foi realizado o subcultivo, transferindo 10 µL da cultura de cada poço negativo e do controle positivo em meio BDA, conforme Nakamura et al (2016).…”