Myrcia hatschbachii: antifungal activity and structural elucidation of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids

Abstract

Natural products, especially plants, have been investigated as sources of new substances with antimicrobial properties. In this context, the Myrcia genus is extensively researched for presenting such activities. This work aims to evaluate the antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of extracts and fractions of stems of Myrcia hatschbachii, also to characterize two phenolic compounds. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed by using the broth microdilution method. The ethyl acetate fraction (FGA) inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 15.6 µg/mL, presented 40% of phenolic compounds in its composition, obtained the most significant results in antioxidant methods (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS), besides the identification of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids by NMR. Considering the relevant antifungal activity revealed by the fraction, new studies can be carried out to encourage the continuous search for antifungal alternatives.

Compositions and Biological Activities of Pomegranate Peel Polyphenols Extracted by Different Solvents

“…Ellagic acid is negatively correlated with most activities, for example, antibacterial and inhibitory effects against cytokine secretion. Ellagic acid was reported to have capacity in suppressing bacterial growth, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fugus [ 32 ]. The scavenging capacity of ellagic acid against DPPH radicals was even stronger than quercetin [ 33 ].…”

Antifungal Activity of the Phenolic Compounds Ellagic Acid (EA) and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) against Drug-Resistant Candida auris

“…Gatto et al (2020) reported that the ethyl acetate fraction of stems of Myrcia hatschbachii inhibited the growth of C. albicans at 15.6 µg/mL, displaying fungistatic action. This fraction presented high quantity of phenolic compounds in its composition, considering that the main compounds identified by nuclear magnetic resonance were ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids [73]. Freires et al (2016) demonstrated that the antifungal potential of propolis extracts may be related to the presence of flavonoids such as CAPE in their chemical composition, suggesting that the mechanism of action is related to disruption of fungal cell wall [65].…”

Contribution to the identification of the species Myrcia hatschbachii D. Legrand (Myrtaceae): anatomical and histochemical analyses

“…These data corroborate the main metabolites found in the family and genus. The family Myrtaceae (RODRIGUES et al, 2016) and the genus Myrcia (CASCAES et al 2015) are characterized by the presence of phenolic compounds, in addition, the species M. hatschbachii presented a high content of these compounds in in vitro tests (GATTO et al, 2020).…”

“…A study with the species showed a high content of phenolic compounds and the characterization of ellagic acid and 3-o-methyl ellagic acid. In addition, the extract exhibited antioxidant properties, by the methods of DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS, and relevant antifungal activity against Candida albicans (GATTO et al, 2020).…”

“…Considering the potential therapeutic use of the species (GATTO et al, 2020), the morphological similarities in the family (DONATO; MORRETES, 2011) and the absence of anatomical studies published in the literature, the aim of the present study was to carry out an anatomical and histochemical analyses in order to contribute to the identification of M. hatschbachii and assist further studies on the possible differentiation of this species from other species of the genus Myrcia, including the insulin plants group since the morphological characterization between them is similar.…”