Department of Botany, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Rua Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Recife, Pernambuco, 50.670-901, Brazil.
Department of Botany, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Rua Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Recife, Pernambuco, 50.670-901, Brazil.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Mar 1;321:117506. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117506. Epub 2023 Nov 25.
Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit and medicinal species used for treating infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. However, its mechanism of action against microbes is still not fully understood. Infections in the genitourinary system caused by Candida spp. are associated with its fungal resistance and pathogenicity. New plant-derived compounds are an alternative to fight these Candida infections.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-Candida effects of extracts of the stem bark of H. speciosa. This research investigated the chemical composition of sulfuric ether (EEHS) and methanolic (MEHS) extracts, their drug-modifying action on fluconazole, and their anti-virulence action on the morphological transition of Candida species.
The extracts (EEHS and MEHS) of the stem bark of H. speciosa were chemically characterized via qualitative phytochemical screening and by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF). The extracts were evaluated regarding their antifungal effects and fluconazole-modifying activity against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis using the broth microdilution method. Additionally, the study evaluated the inhibition of fungal virulence in Candida species through morphological transition assays.
The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, aurones, catechins, chalcones, flavones, flavonols, flavanones, leucoanthocyanidins, tannins (condensed and pyrogallic), and xanthones in both extracts of the stem bark of H. speciosa. The UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF analysis identified the same compounds in both extracts, predominating phenolic compounds. Some compounds were first time recorded in this species: gluconic acid, cinchonain IIb, cinchonain Ib isomer, and lariciresinol hexoside isomers. Most of the intrinsic antifungal activity was observed for the MEHS against C. krusei (IC: 58.41 μg/mL). At subinhibitory concentrations (MC/8), the EEHS enhanced the action of fluconazole against all Candida strains. The MEHS exhibited greater efficacy than fluconazole inhibiting C. krusei growth. The EEHS completely inhibited hyphae appearance and reduced pseudohyphae formation in C. albicans.
The stem bark of H. speciosa is a rich source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic. Phenolic compounds can have important roles in fighting infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, such as candidiasis. The extracts of H. speciosa improved the action of the drug fluconazole against Candida species, inhibited hyphae appearance, and reduced pseudohyphae formation. The results of this study can support the development of new therapeutics against resistant strains of Candida.
Hancornia speciosa Gomes 是一种水果和药用物种，用于治疗泌尿生殖系统的传染病。然而，其对微生物的作用机制尚不完全清楚。泌尿生殖系统中由 Candida spp.引起的感染与真菌的耐药性和致病性有关。新的植物衍生化合物是对抗这些念珠菌感染的一种选择。
本研究旨在评估 H. speciosa 茎皮提取物的抗念珠菌作用。本研究调查了硫酸乙醚（EEHS）和甲醇（MEHS）提取物的化学成分，它们对氟康唑的药物修饰作用，以及它们对念珠菌形态转变的抗毒力作用。
采用定性植物化学筛选和液相色谱-串联质谱（UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF）对 H. speciosa 茎皮提取物（EEHS 和 MEHS）进行化学表征。采用肉汤微量稀释法评价提取物对白色念珠菌、克柔念珠菌和热带念珠菌的抗真菌作用和氟康唑修饰活性。此外，通过形态转变试验评估了抑制念珠菌种真菌毒力的作用。
植物化学筛选显示，H. speciosa 茎皮的两种提取物均含有花色苷、花青素、奥里诺辛、儿茶素、查耳酮、黄酮、黄酮醇、黄烷酮、无色花青素、单宁（缩合和焦性没食子酸）和酮。UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF 分析在两种提取物中均鉴定出相同的化合物，以酚类化合物为主。一些化合物在该物种中首次被记录：葡萄糖酸、辛可宁 IIb、辛可宁 Ib 异构体和松脂醇六糖苷异构体。MEHS 对 C. krusei 的固有抗真菌活性最强（IC：58.41μg/mL）。在亚抑菌浓度（MC/8）下，EEHS 增强了氟康唑对所有念珠菌菌株的作用。MEHS 抑制 C. krusei 生长的效果优于氟康唑。EEHS 完全抑制了白色念珠菌中菌丝的出现，并减少了假菌丝的形成。
H. speciosa 茎皮是生物活性化合物的丰富来源，特别是酚类化合物。酚类化合物在治疗泌尿生殖系统传染病（如念珠菌病）方面可能具有重要作用。H. speciosa 的提取物增强了药物氟康唑对念珠菌属的作用，抑制了菌丝的出现，减少了假菌丝的形成。本研究的结果可以支持开发针对耐药念珠菌菌株的新疗法。
