title: Antifungal activity of the ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum L. and evaluation of the morphological and structural modifications of its compounds upon the cells of Candida spp.
abstract: Ethanolic crude extracts prepared from the arils and seeds, pericarp, peels and from the whole fruit of Punica granatum, known as pomegranate, had their antifungal activity tested against Candida spp. The ethanolic crude extracts were analyzed by Mass Spectrometry and yielded many compounds such as punicalagin and galladydilacton. The extracts from the pericarp and peel showed activity against Candida spp., with MICs of 125 μg/mL. The effect of pericarp and peel extracts upon the morphological and structure of C. albicans and C. krusei were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, with the visualization of an irregular membrane and hyphae, formation of vacuoles and thickening of the cell wall. The data obtained revealed potential antimicrobial activity against yeasts cells of the Candida genus, and the bioactive compounds could be responsible for changes in cell morphology and structure. The data obtained open new perspectives for future research in continuation to this study, where information such as determination of the site of action of the compounds could contribute to an alternative therapy against these organisms.
authors: Disciplina de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. ; Divisão de Fitoquímica, Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Paula Cristina
authors: PC
authors: Anibal
authors: Disciplina de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors: Iza Teixeira Alves
authors: IT
authors: Peixoto
authors: Divisão de Fitoquímica, Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Mary Ann
authors: MA
authors: Foglio
authors: Disciplina de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors: José Francisco
authors: JF
authors: Höfling
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D015388:Organelles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Candida spp.; Punica granatum; antifungal activity; electron microscopy; punicalagin