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Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail caused by high densities of filamentous fungi and yeasts. Treatment for this illness is long-term, and recurrences are frequently detected. This study evaluated in vitro antifungal activities of 12 organic compounds derived from amino alcohols against standard fungal strains, such as Trichophyton rubrum CCT 5507 URM 1666, Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 11481, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The antifungal compounds were synthesized from p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4a–4f) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (9a–9f). Minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum fungicidal concentrations were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols M38-A2, M27-A3, and M27-S4. The amine series 4b–4e, mainly 4c and 4e compounds, were effective against filamentous fungi and yeast (MIC from 7.8 to 312 μg/mL). On the other hand, the amide series (9a–9f) did not present inhibitory effect against fungi, except amide 9c, which demonstrated activity only against C. albicans. This allowed us to infer that the presence of amine group and intermediate carbon number (8C–11C) in its aliphatic side chain seems to be important for antifungal activity. Although these compounds present cytotoxic activity on macrophages J774, our results suggest that these aromatic compounds might constitute potential as leader molecules in the development of more effective and less toxic analogs that could have considerable implications for future therapies of onychomycosis.

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Background: Antifungal multidrug resistance has been reported worldwide and has stimulated investigations of plant species for the treatment of candidiasis. In particular, in vitro antifungal activities and cytotoxicity of dry extracts from Ceasalpinia ferrea (tul.) Martius, Brosimum acutifolium Huber, and Salacia impressifolia (Miers) A.C. Smith were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicide (MFC) values were established according to the protocol M27-A2 of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Subsequent evaluations were performed using strains of Candida albicans from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 10231, clinical isolated Candida albicans, Candida glabrata (CCT) 0728, Candida krusei (FTI) CCT 1517, and Candida guilliermondii (CCT) 1890. Morphological changes were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cytotoxicity was evaluated in murine L929 fibroblast cells after treatment with plant extracts. Results: MIC values indicated antifungal potential of all three extracts against the main fungi that causes candidiasis. Conclusion: In particular, C. ferrea showed promising antimicrobial potential against all strains. Hence, future studies are warranted to investigate pharmacologically active compounds from this extract that could be used as prototypes for drug development and/or as a source of raw pharmaceutical materials for the treatment of candidiasis.