Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to isolate and identify the antifungal compounds from the extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae) against clinical isolates of the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.MethodsThe hexane and dichlomethane fractions from leaves and stems of S. terebinthifolius were fractionated using several chromatography techniques to afford four compounds.ResultsThe compounds isolated from S. terebinthifolius were identified as schinol (1), a new biphenyl compound, namely, 4'-ethyl-4-methyl-2,2',6,6'-tetrahydroxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-dicarboxylate (2), quercetin (3), and kaempferol (4). Compounds 1 and 2 were active against different strains of P. brasiliensis, showing a minimal inhibitory concentration value against the isolate Pb B339 of 15.6 μg/ml. The isolate Pb 1578 was more sensitive to compound 1 with a MIC value of 7.5 μg/ml. Schinol presented synergistic effect only when combined with itraconazole. The compounds isolated from S. terebinthifolius were not able to inhibit cell wall synthesis or assembly using the sorbitol assay.ConclusionThis work reveals for the first time the occurrence of compound 2 and discloses activity of compounds 1 and 2 against several clinical isolates of P. brasiliensis. These results justify further studies to clarify the mechanisms of action of these compounds.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the antifungal compounds from the extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae) against clinical isolates of the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a dimorphic fungus occurring in Central and South America, is responsible for paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an endemic disease that could affect at least 10 million people in Latin America [1]
We report for first time the investigation of natural products isolated from this plant using in vitro assays with P. brasiliensis
Summary
The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the antifungal compounds from the extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae) against clinical isolates of the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. PCM is a pulmonary infection characterized by cutaneous and/or mucosal lesions that can disseminate to other organs [3] This disease constitutes an important health problem in Brazil and had been found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina [1]. Two forms of the disease have been described in the literature: the acute (subacute) juvenile form and the chronic adult form; the former runs a faster course and is more severe than the latter [4]. In both cases, cell-mediated immune functions are abnormal and, in the absence of specific therapy, mortality is high. The disease may develop either directly from a primary focus with no latency period or, more commonly, by reactivation of quiescent infections [1]
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