ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Candida albicans is the main agent of the most common fungal infection, Candidiasis. It is an opportunistic and dangerous pathogen, especially in immunosuppressed patients. The biological properties of Morinda citrifolia (noni) make it a potent antifungal. In this study, antifungal effect of M. citrifolia was evaluated to verify its effect on human cells. METHODOLOGY: Extract of M. citrifolia was used against strains of C. albicans (cEC 1291). Glucose consumption in C. albicans biofilm was determined at different concentrations of M. citrifolia, and germ tube formation was evaluated in the presence and absence of M. citrifolia. Fungicidal activity was determined by the kinetics of fungal cell death. THP-1 and HeLa cells were used for cell viability and apoptosis, and cell proliferation assays, respectively. RESULTS: Cells treated with M. citrifolia maintained higher concentration of glucose than the control group (p < 0.05). Germ tube formation was inhibited in cells treated with M. citrifolia (p < 0.05). M. citrifolia exerted a cytotoxic effect on C. albicans cells with 99.99% lethality after 6.82 h (1:1 and 1:2), and reduced the viability of THP-1 cells by 25% and 67% after 12 and 36 h, respectively. Annexin V expression in THP-1 increased in groups that received higher concentrations of M. citrifolia (p < 0.05), reducing the proliferation of THP-1 and HeLa cells (2.8-fold). A greater cytotoxic effect was observed in fungal cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that M. citrifolia exerts biological activity against C. albicans and reduces the viability and proliferation of human cells.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Morinda , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Candida albicans , Glucose/pharmacology , HeLa Cells , Humans , Plant Extracts/pharmacologyABSTRACT
With the purpose of selecting the species of woody Caatinga for mixed plantations with Eucalyptus spp., the allelophatic effects of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis essential oil were studied on the growth activities of Anadenanthera peregrina. The plants were closed in glass chambers in the presence of volatile oil of E. camaldulensis or E. grandis at the concentration of 13 nl.cm-3. The number of leaves, height and diameter at soil lever were compared before, immediately after and after 30 days. Chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids and dry mass were evaluated after the treatment application. There was no inhibitory effect of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis oils on A. peregrina. E. camaldulensis, which was more adapted to semi-arid conditions, was planted in mixture stands with two native legume species, inoculated with Rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. E. camaldulensis did not inhibit native species growth after two years of cultivation.
