title: Antifungal activity of extracts from Cynomorium coccineum growing wild in Sardinia island (Italy).
abstract: Cynomorium coccineum L. is a non-photosynthetic plant, spread over Mediterranean countries, amply used in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time the antifungal activity of its extracts. The antifungal activity was evaluated using the macrodilution method against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophyte strains. The methanolic extract was very active against C. neoformans, Candida guilliermondii and Candida krusei, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values of 0.025 mg/mL. This extract is more active than fluconazole against C. krusei H9. The influence of methanolic extract on the dimorphic transition in Candida albicans was also studied through the germ tube inhibition assay. More than 60% of filamentation was inhibited at a concentration of 1/4 MIC. These results are preliminary and further studies are needed to an eventual use of C. coccineum methanolic extract in the treatments of candidiasis and cryptococcosis.
authors.affiliation: a Faculdade de Farmacia/CEF and CNC, Universidade de Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: b Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche , Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato , S.S. 554, km 4, 500 09042 Monserrato , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.affiliation: b Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche , Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato , S.S. 554, km 4, 500 09042 Monserrato , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Porcedda
authors.affiliation: b Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche , Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato , S.S. 554, km 4, 500 09042 Monserrato , Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marongiu
authors.affiliation: c Istituto Tecnico Industriale Statale "Michele Giua" , Via Montecassino, 09100 Cagliar , Italy.
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Falconieri
authors.affiliation: a Faculdade de Farmacia/CEF and CNC, Universidade de Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavaleiro
authors.affiliation: d Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche , Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato , S.S. 554, km 4, 500 09042 Monserrato , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rescigno
authors.affiliation: d Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche , Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato , S.S. 554, km 4, 500 09042 Monserrato , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: a Faculdade de Farmacia/CEF and CNC, Universidade de Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Ligia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects*; D031482:Cynomorium / Q000737:chemistry*; D007558:Italy; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils
keywords: Cynomorium coccineum; antifungal activity; candidiasis; cryptococcosis; methanolic extract