Poiretia latifolia essential oil as a promising antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent: Chemical composition, biological screening, and development of a nanoemulsion formulation

Abstract

Poiretia latifolia is a Brazilian plant species used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory activity, and antifungal effect of P. latifolia essential oil and its major compounds. In addition, a nanoemulsified system was developed for its application. Aerial parts of the plant, collected at different stages of development, were hydrodistilled, and the chemical composition of the oil was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Limonene, trans-dihydrocarvone, and carvone were identified as major compounds. Antioxidant potential was evaluated by three different methods: TBARS, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and DPPH. P. latifolia oil showed antioxidant activity (0.508 mg/mL) in lipophilic medium, as evidenced by the β-carotene/linoleic acid assay. The anti-chemotactic effect of the oil was evaluated by inhibition of neutrophil migration (0.001–10 μg/mL): P. latifolia oil was able to inhibit up to 94.7% of migration. Antifungal activity was evaluated against yeasts (Candida spp.) and dermatophytic filamentous fungi (Microsporum spp. and Trichophyton spp.). P. latifolia oil showed antifungal activity against Microsporum canis, and a mixture of carvone and limonene was effective against the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Nanoemulsions were successfully developed. P. latifolia oil has the potential to be used as an antidermatophytic and anti-inflammatory agent.