Unlocking the therapeutic potential of Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae) leaves against Candida Sp.

Abstract

Carapa guianensis Aubl., Meliaceae, is popularly known as andiroba, a plant species with wide therapeutic use, especially its fixed oil and leaves as a healing and anti-inflammatory agent. The work aimed to determine the antifungal and antioxidant activity of the extract and fractions of C. guianensis leaves. The leaves of C. guianensis collected in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, were dried and pulverized. The powder was percolated with 70% ethanol, using a hydromodule of 1:12. The extract was developed with hexane and then partitioned (v/v) obtaining the following fractions: chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hydroethanol. The toxicological bioassay was carried out with Artemia salina and antifungal activity evaluated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) with different species of the genus Candida. Toxicological tests showed progressive toxicity as partitioning was carried out. In the antifungal assay, the growth and death of C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis were observed, demonstrating potential for use as an antifungal agent in pharmaceutical products.