Fitoquímica e Avaliação do Potencial Antifúngico de Jatropha Mollissima (pohl) Baill (pinhão-bravo) Frente a Cryptococcus Neoformans (san Felice) Vuill.

Abstract

The occurrence of invasive fungal infections has increased in recent decades, constituting a serious threat to human health, especially in immunocompromised patients. This scenario is related to the reduced number of antifungal agents authorized for use and the strains' resistance to treatment options. However, as limitations of current pharmacotherapies, it made the pharmaceutical industries consider the resources of the Brazilian flora as an important source of raw material for new drugs. Among the species of the Brazilian flora, one can mention Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill, known as wild jatropha and used in folk medicine. This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal potential of ethanolic, methanolic and isopropyl extracts of Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill leaves against Cryptococcus neoformans, as well as a qualitative phytochemical analysis to identify the main metabolites present in the leaves. The evaluation of antifungal activity was performed using the broth microdilution method following the recommendations of CLSI M27-A2. For a phytochemical evaluation, qualitative tests were carried out for saponins, active acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, flavonones, phenols and tannins. The results demonstrated the presence of secondary metabolites such as actives, alkaloids, saponins, flavonones, phenols and tannins. The antifungal activity of methanolic and isopropyl extracts of J. mollissima showed the best result of reduced fungal inhibition at least 250 μg / ml, being considered as moderate. Therefore, J. mollissima extracts have inhibitory potential against C. neoformans. This inhibitory factor may be associated with secondary compounds present in leaves, requiring further studies to identify the metabolite.