Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus inhibits virulence factors and promotes metabolic changes in Candida yeast

Introduction This is the first study to examine the in vitro susceptibility and the expression of virulence factors in Candida species in the presence of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum (Myrtaceae), a Brazilian plant known as paucravo. Additionally, the mechanisms of action of the crude ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of this plant were investigated. Methods The in vitro susceptibility of Candida was tested using the broth microdilution method, whereas an XTT reduction assay was used for biofilms. Adherence was determined by counting the number of yeast cells that adhered to 100 oral epithelial cells, and hyphal formation was verified in the hyphal induction medium M199. Flow cytometry with propidium iodide and FUN-1 was performed to assess the mechanism of action. Results The results revealed that the crude ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of P. pseudocaryophyllus inhibited the growth of Candida isolates at a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 64 to 256µg/mL, whereas the 50% sessile minimal inhibitory concentration (SMIC50) ranged from 512 to >1,024µg/mL. Adherence and hyphal formation were significantly reduced in the presence of the crude ethanol extract and both fractions. Although cell membrane injury was detected, the predominant mechanism of action appeared to be the alteration of yeast metabolism, as demonstrated by flow cytometry. Conclusions Our results indicated that antifungal activity reduced the expression of virulence factors in yeast via the alteration of yeast metabolism, suggesting that the crude extract of P. pseudocaryophyllus and its fractions may contain novel antifungal agents. .

Crecimiento y Desarrollo de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. alatae durante su cultivo en medios líquidos / Growth and Development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. alatae During Culture in Liquid Medium

Algunas características descritas como factores de virulencia para el género Colletotrichum sp. tales como la masa del micelio producido, la esporulación, la actividad poligalacturonasa y el pH del medio, fueron evaluadas durante el cultivo de C. gloeosporioides f. alatae en tres medios líquidos (Czapeck, caldo Martin y caldo papa), utilizados comúnmente para el desarrollo de hongos y en el medio de cultivo Czapeck adicionado con extracto de tubérculo de ñame como única fuente de carbono. Al cabo de 17 días de crecimiento, se obtuvieron los niveles máximos de los parámetros mencionados, al utilizar este último medio, respecto a los otros medios de cultivo evaluados. El medio de cultivo implementado con extracto de tubérculo de ñame, suministró los requerimientos nutricionales del hongo para el desarrollo de factores relacionados con los mecanismos de infección que pueden participar en su patogenicidad.