Phytochemical profile and anti-Candida and cytotoxic potential of Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew tree)

Abstract

The barks of Anacardium occidentale (cashew tree) been used for centuries in the popular pharmacopoeia of South America and West Africa for the treatment of infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the biological effect of the ethanolic extract of the barks against strains of Candida spp. and cancer cell lines, as well as identifying the chemical constituents present in the product. For that, the extract was submitted to an UPLC-QTOF/MS, which mass fragments were compared in the literature at the botanical family level. For antifungal activity, the serial microdilution method was used in varying concentrations, and the modifier of fluconazole in sub-inhibitory concentrations (CFM/16). Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT method [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazol bromide] in five cell lines (HL-60, NCI–H292, HCT-116, P815 and L929). Eight compounds were identified, including gallic acid, luteolin, epicatechin gallate and agathisflavone. An antifungal effect of the extract was observed for the strains of Candida albicans , Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis , with IC 50 lower than 400 μg/mL. In addition, there was a synergistic action with fluconazole against C. albicans and C. tropicalis . As for antitumor activity, there was a moderate activity against all cancer lines, showing low cytotoxicity for the normal line, making the extract an excellent candidate for drug development. The ethnopharmacological use of A. occidentale by populations for the treatment of DIP's and neurodegenerative diseases, reveal that this organ has biological actions against microorganisms that cause infections, as well as being capable of causing toxicity in cancer cells. • The extract of the bark of A. occidentale has anti- Candida effect. • Anacardium occidentale has the ability to intensify the effect of the antifungal Fluconazole. • The barks of A. occidentale have phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins. • The bark extract presented a greater cytotoxic activity over tumor cells.