title: Chemical composition and antifungal potential of Brazilian propolis against Candida spp.
abstract: Propolis is known to have biological properties against numerous microorganisms of clinical interest. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and antifungal activity of Brazilian propolis (types 3 and 13) against Candida spp. and their effects on the morphology of preformed and mature Candida biofilms. Samples of propolis (3 and 13) collected by Apis mellifera honeybees were obtained from different regions in Brazil. Ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared, fractionated and submitted to chemical analysis by GC/MS. The extracts and their hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions were tested for their ability to inhibit Candida spp. (C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. kruzei, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis) by determination of the minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations (MIC/MFC). Additionally, their effects on morphology of preformed and mature biofilms were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The phenolic compounds p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), kaempferol and quercetin were identified in the EEP-3 and its bioactive dichloromethane fraction; and isoflavonoids such as medicarpin, vestitol and formononetin were found in the EEP-13, and triterpenes in its bioactive hexane fraction. The EEP-3 and EEP-13 and their bioactive fractions showed MIC values ranging from 0.2 to 125μg/mL and MFC values between 125 and 500μg/mL. The EEP and fractions were predominantly fungistatic agents. All extracts and fractions disrupted biofilm structures at 500μg/mL and amorphous areas with cell damage were clearly observed in preformed and mature biofilms. Propolis types 3 and 13 have strong anti-Candida activity and should be considered as promising candidates to treat oral and systemic candidiasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13414-018 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Freires
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13414-018 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: V C P P
authors.initials: VCPP
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture, University of Campinas, Campinas (UNICAMP), Box 6171, 13081-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: V F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Furletti
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Alfenas, 37130-000 Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikegaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Agri-food Industry, Food and Nutrition, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo (USP), 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: de Alencar
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture, University of Campinas, Campinas (UNICAMP), Box 6171, 13081-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: M C T
authors.initials: MCT
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13414-018 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: rosalen@fop.unicamp.br.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rosalen
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001938:Brazil; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011429:Propolis
keywords: Biofilms; Candida; Candidiasis; Candidose; Isoflavonoids; Isoflavonoïdes; La propolis; Propolis