Argentinean Larrea Dry Extracts with Potential Use in Vaginal Candidiasis

Abstract

Larrea divaricata (Ld), Larrea cuneifolia (Lc) and Larrea nitida (Ln) are shrubs occurring in Northwestern Argentina used in traditional medicine to treat fungal and bacterial infections and as anti-inflammatory. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of several Larrea species has been reported. However, their potential use in vaginal infections has been so far not assessed. The aim of this work was to determine the botanical difference between Larrea species, the chemical composition and the activity of Larrea dry extracts (DE) on Candida species isolated from vaginal infections and to assess their potential as antioxidant agents because infections are usually associated with oxidative processes. The main botanical difference between Larrea species resides in the morphology and shape of leaf, leaflets and stipules, presence or absence of mucron and rachis, percentage of coalescence of the leaflets. The position and abundance of the sclerenchymatic tissue at the mind vein and petiole transection allows the differentiation of the three species. The profile of phenolic compounds in the Larrea DE was determined. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of DE allowed the identification of 2 flavonoids and 10 lignans. Trihydroxy-6,7′cyclolignan was found only in L. divaricata and dihydroxy-methoxy-epoxylignan in L. cuneifolia and L. nitida, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) was found in the three species. All extracts showed antioxidant capacity. The DE showed to be effective against Candida albicans and non-albicans strains. According to our results, the local vaginal use of Larrea DE in the concentration range of MIC values for Candida species does not affect the Lactobacillus normal vaginal microbiota. This work adds evidence to the potential use of Larrea DE as phytomedicine in vulvovaginal candidiasis with multiple effects, including antifungal and antioxidant activity.

UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS Phenolics Profiling, Free Radical Scavenging, Antibacterial and Nematicidal Activities of “Yellow-Brown Resins” from Larrea spp.

“…Peaks 6 and 10 with a [M−H] − ion at m/z 299.12872 were proposed as 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy 6,7′-cyclolignan isomers. Peak 12 and 16 with a [M−H] − ion at m/z 313.14432 were assigned to norisoguaicin and its isomer, both compounds and other lignans have been previously isolated from L. divaricata , L. nitida and L. tridentate [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ].…”

“…Additionally, the antifungal bioassay-guided isolation of L. nitida resin (LnRe) led to the isolation of 4, 13, 16, 18, 20 and 21 [ 26 ]. Recently, from an ethanol-water extract of the species L. divaricata , L. nitida and L. cuneifolia , through a study by HPLC-MS in the negative mode, twelve phenolics compounds were characterized, including, quercetin-hexoside, quercetin-methyl ether hexoside and lignans ( 4, 6, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 ) [ 39 ]. On the other hand, previous phytochemical investigation of the phenolics from L. divaricata led to the isolation and characterization of the lignans nor-dihydroguaiaretic acid ( 13 ), dihydroguaiaretic acid ( 26 ), norisoguaiacin ( 16 ), 3′-demethoxyisoguaiacin and several flavonoids, including kaempferol 3-methyl ether (isokaempferide), isorhamnetin ( 3 ) and luteolin 3′-methyl ether [ 42 ].…”

Potential use of medicinal plants from Argentinean highland as agent anti‐photoaging

“…It was also found that it slows induced apoptosis and cell division 6 . L cuneifolia extracts showed antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial activity 4,5 . Antifungal and antioxidant capacities were demonstrated in L. nitida 5,7 .…”

“…(popular names: “jarilla,” “jarilla de la montaña,” “crespa,” “pispa o pispita,” “jarilla fina”), and Larrea cunefolia Cav. (popular name: “jarilla,” “jarilla macho,” “jarilla crespa,” “jarilla norte‐sur,” “jarilla del campo”) are the main species in the “jarillal.” L divaricata exert antibacterial, antioxidant, anticandida, and immunomodulatory effect 3‐5 . It was also found that it slows induced apoptosis and cell division 6 .…”

“…L cuneifolia extracts showed antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial activity 4,5 . Antifungal and antioxidant capacities were demonstrated in L. nitida 5,7 . Lignans and flavonoids were identified in the three Larrea species 5 .…”