Prospecção dos efeitos antifúngico, citotóxico e anti oxidante do extrato de Syzygium cumini (LINN.) Skeel

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the antifungal potential of the Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Skeels leaves’ hydroalcoholic extract on strains of the Candida genre, as well as to investigate its cytotoxic and antioxidant effect. The percolation method was used to obtain the extract. The extract was chemically characterized through gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The extract’s antifungal activity was determined through Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Fungicide Concentration over C. albicans (ATCC 10231), C. glabrata (ATCC 90030), C. krusei (ATCC 6258), C. tropicalis (ATCC 750) ) as well as C. albicans (LM1) and C. albicans (LM3) clinical strains and through the evaluation of its effect over the C. albicans (ATCC 10231) growth kinetics. Cytotoxicity tests were done from the hemolysis and osmotic fragility experiments in human erythrocytes as well as the extract’s oxidant and antioxidant potentials in the presence of phenylhydrazine and reactive oxygen species, respectively. The data about the extract’s essay over C. albicans growth kinetics were evaluated by the ANOVA test and by the post-tests of Tukey, while the cytotoxity tests were evaluated by the ANOVA test and by the post-tests of Dunnett. Both were done taking into consideration the value α=0,05. By the phytochemical analysis, a total of 35 compounds were identified, knowing that 2,2- Dimethoxybutane; 4H-Pyran-4-one,2,3-di-hydro-3,5-di-hydroxy-6-methyl-; 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural; 2,4-Di-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3 (2H) -furan-3-one, propanedioic acid and dimethyl ester were the main substances found in the extract. The extract showed MIC values among 31,25 and 125 μg/mL and MFC among 250 and >1000 μg/mL, with fungistatic effect over the tested strains, mainly after they were exposed to the C. albicans for a period of eight hours. In those concentrations that can have a minimum inhibitory effect over the fungal growth, the extract showed a low hemolytic activity, having a protective effect over osmotic stress induced hemolysis, at the same concentrations, depending on the blood type used. In concentrations of 31,25 and 62,5 μg/mL, the extract shows an antioxidant effect in relation to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide, though it does not demonstrate any antioxidant action when exposed to phenylhydrazine. Besides, it does not induce oxidation in the erythrocytes when used in concentrations ≤ 125 μg/mL. Based on these results, the extract showed a promising antifungal potential, manifesting a low cytotoxic effect over the erythrocytes, offering a protective effect over cells that were exposed to osmotic and oxidative stress situations.