Evaluation of the antifungal activity and modulation between Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. leaves and roots ethanolic extracts and conventional antifungals.
BACKGROUND
The use and investigation of natural products with antimicrobial activity from vegeral source have been reported by several researchers. Cajanus cajan (Fabaceae) is a multiple use specie mainly as human food. In popular medicine, diverse parts of the plant are used as sedative and to treat cough, hepatitis, and diabetes.


METHODS
This study shows the characterization of secondary metabolites present in ehtanolic extracts from leaves and roots of Cajanus cajan by phytochemical prospection. The evaluation of the antifungal activity was performed by the microdilution method, and from the subinhibitory concentrations (MIC 1/8) the modulatory activity of antifungical (fluconazole and ketoconazole) was analyzed by the direct contact assay against C. albicans ATCC40006, Candida krusei ATCC 6538 and Candida tropicalis ATCC 40042.


RESULTS
The results showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids in both extracts as the clinically relevant antifungal activity. The modulatory potential is presented by the antifungal tested against yeasts.


CONCLUSIONS
The extracts studied here have demonstrated to be a new therapeutic source to treat these microorganism-associated diseases.
Molecular Bioprospection Post-graduation Program, Laboratory of Natural Products Research, Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil.
Samara A
SA
Brito
Fabíola F G
FF
Rodrigues
Adriana R
AR
Campos
José G M
JG
da Costa