title: Effect of Schinus terebinthifolius on Candida albicans growth kinetics, cell wall formation and micromorphology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the anti-fungal activity of a tincture from Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper tree) on Candida albicans (ATCC 289065), a micro-organism associated with fungal infections of the oral cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined through microdilution technique, as well as the microbial growth curve of C. albicans promoted by S. terebinthifolius. In addition, this study investigated a possible activity of the product on the fungal cell wall and its biological activity on fungal morphology. Nystatin was used as control and all tests were performed in triplicate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  S. terebinthifolius showed MIC of 312.5 µg/mL and MFC of 2500 µg/mL upon the strain tested, while Nystatin showed MIC and MFC of 6.25 µg/mL. As regards the microbial growth curve, S. terebinthifolius was able to significantly reduce the number of CFU/mL when compared to growth control until the time of 60 min. In the times 120 and 180 min there was no statistically significant difference between the growth control and the experimental product. S. terebinthifolius possibly acts on the fungal cell wall, once the sorbitol test indicated a MIC of 1250 µg/mL. In the fungal morphology, a reduction was observed of pseudo-hyphae, chlamydoconidia and blastoconidia in the presence of the experimental product.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S. terebinthifolius showed anti-fungal activity against C. albicans, inhibiting, probably, the fungal cell wall formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinics and Social Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lívia Araújo
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Irlan de Almeida
authors.initials: Ide A
authors.lastname: Freires
authors.forename: Tricia Murielly
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Andrade
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Edeltrudes de Oliveira
authors.initials: Ede O
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Ricardo Dias
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: de Castro
mesh_terms: D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts