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Immunosuppressed individuals, including those undergoing cancer treatment, are more vulnerable to fungal infections, such as oral candidiasis, impacting their quality of life. Given the limitations of current therapies, the discovery of new antifungal agents, including those of natural origin, is crucial for the proper managing of these infections. We investigated the phytochemical profile and antifungal activity of both the essential oil and crude ethanolic extract (CEE) obtained from Eugenia luschnathiana against reference strains and clinical isolates of Candida from oncology patients. Toxicological characterization was also conducted. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were used for phytochemical analysis. Antifungal evaluation was conducted to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC); evaluation of potential mechanisms of action; activity on a fungal biofilm; evaluation of the cytotoxic effect on human keratinocytes of the HaCat lineage by the MTT method; determination of lethality for Artemia salina larvae. GC-MS identified a predominance of sesquiterpenes in the essential oil, notably (E)-Caryophyllene. The 1H NMR spectrum identified aliphatic, osidic, and aromatic compounds in the crude ethanolic extract. The essential oil showed no antifungal activity. However, the CEE exhibited fungicidal activity, with MIC and MFC ranging from 1.95 µg/mL to 3.90 µg/mL. The antifungal effect was affected by sorbitol, indicating a possible mechanism targeting fungal cell wall structures. At low concentration (19.5 µg/mL), the CEE inhibited 62,78% of C. albicans biofilm. The CEE demonstrated a promising toxicity profile, with an LC50 of 142.4 µg/mL against Artemia salina. In conclusion, the CEE from Eugenia luschnathiana exhibited potent antifungal activity, likely through cell wall disruption, biofilm inhibition, and a favorable toxicity profile for further exploration.

Candida species are frequently implicated in the development of both superficial and invasive fungal infections, which can impact vital organs. In the quest for novel strategies to combat fungal infections, there has been growing interest in exploring synthetic and semi-synthetic products, particularly chromone derivatives, renowned for their antimicrobial properties. In the analysis of the antifungal activity of the compound ( E )-benzylidene-chroman-4-one against Candida , in silico and laboratory tests were performed to predict possible mechanisms of action pathways, and in vitro tests were performed to determine antifungal activity (MIC and MFC), to verify potential modes of action on the fungal cell membrane and wall, and to assess cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes. The tested compound exhibited predicted affinity for all fungal targets, with the highest predicted affinity observed for thymidylate synthase (-102.589 kJ/mol). MIC and CFM values ranged from 264.52 μM (62.5 μg/mL) to 4232.44 μM (1000 μg/mL). The antifungal effect likely occurs due to the action of the compound on the plasma membrane. Therefore, (E)-benzylidene-chroman-4-one showed fungicidal-like activity against Candida spp., possibly targeting the plasma membrane.

The pathogenic nature of infections caused by Candida spp. underscores the necessity for novel therapeutic agents. Extracts of Schinopsis brasilienses Engl are \ a promising source of agents with antifungal effects. This study aimed to assess the antifungal potential of the leaf extract of S. brasilienses. The antifungal activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations and fungicide concentrations (MIC and MFC). The antibiofilm potential was assessed by counting colony-forming units/mL. The study examined the inhibition kinetics of fungal growth and potential synergism between gallic acid or the extract and nystatin using the Checkerboard method. Cytotoxicity was evaluated through the MTT assay. The extract exhibited antifungal effect against all tested strains, with MIC and MFC ranging from 31.25-250 μg/mL. Gallic acid, the main isolated compound, displayed a MIC of 2000 μg/mL. The extract of S. brasilienses at 31.25 μg/mL inhibited the formation of biofilm by C. albicans and significantly reduced the mass of mature biofilm after 24 and 48 h (p < 0. 05). At a concentration of 125 μg/mL, the extract demonstrated significant inhibition of fungal growth after 6 hours. The combination of gallic acid or extract with nystatin did not exhibit synergistic or antagonistic effect. Furthermore, the extract did not induce cytotoxicity to a human cell line. The extract of S. brasiliensis demonstrates antifungal activity against Candida, generally exhibiting fungicidal action and capacity to inhibit biofilm formation as well as reduce mature biofilms. Additionally, the extract showed low cytotoxicity to human cells.

This study investigates the antifungal and cytotoxic properties of 7-(pentyloxy)-2H-chromen-2-one. Through molecular docking and dynamics simulations, we explored the compound's interactions with fungal cell protein targets. Notably, it exhibited strong affinities for 1,3β-glucan synthase, squalene epoxidase, δ-14-sterol reductase, 14-α-demethylase, and thymidylate synthase, with binding energies ranging from -100.39 to -73.15 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed its stable binding at active targets. The MIC and MFC values ranged from 67.16 μM (15.6 μg/mL) to 537.28 μM (125.0 μg/mL). The compound displayed promising antifungal effects, inhibiting fungal growth for at least 24 hours. Fungal plasma membrane function alteration likely contributed to these antifungal mechanisms. Additionally, the combination of the compound with nystatin, fluconazole, and caspofungin showed indifferent effects on antifungal activity. Cytotoxicity assessment in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) revealed an IC50 of 100 μM, which was approximately 1.5 times higher than the MIC for C. krusei. Thus, the compound exhibited strongly in silico and in vitro antifungal activity with low cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. These findings support its potential as a candidate for further development as an antifungal compound., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the hemostatic activity of the sap from Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill. in rats., Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomized into four groups ( n = 6): the JM25 and JM40 groups were treated with ethanolic extract from the sap of J. mollissima , in a concentration of 25 and 40 mg·mL 1 , respectively; the MO group was treated with Monsel's solution and the control group SC with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution., Statistical Analysis: Data were submitted to the Kurskal-Wallis' test, followed by Dunn's post hoc ( p < 0.05)., Results: There was a significant reduction in the bleeding time of the group from the JM25 extract ( p = 0.001) when compared with MO and SC. There were no statistically significant differences between groups JM25 and JM40 ( p > 0.05). The JM25 group did not present rebleeding, a result significantly different from the MO group ( p = 0.001). Monsel's solution showed significant bleeding, six times greater than the control group SC., Conclusion: The J. mollissima extract, in the concentration of 25 mg·mL 1 , showed the highest hemostatic efficiency and was found to be a promising biomaterial for the elaboration of a hemostatic product., Competing Interests: None declared., (European Journal of Dentistry. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).)

Purpose: To validate the gastroschisis experimental model in female rats and the effects on the glutamine fetal morphology during pregnancy., Methods: Twelve pregnant rats Wistar were separated in two groups: Group I (n = 6 rats, 71 fetuses) took glutamine and Group II (n = 6 rats, 75 fetuses) took isocaloric supplementation. At the 18th day of pregnancy, female rats were taken to hysterotomy and the fetuses which were selected for the act of gastroschisis were partially removed from the womb and by the laparotomy technique, the exclusion of the intestine was done. After that, fetuses were put in the womb cavity again and the rats' abdomen sutured. At the 21st day of pregnancy, date before delivery, by C-section ordinary animals and the ones with gastroschisis were removed and studied separately. The morphometrical parameters studied were the body weight (PC); the intestine weight (PI); the intestine length (CI) and its relations (PI/PC, PI/CI e PC-PI)., Results: The intestine weight (PI) and the intestine length (CI) were different in fetuses with gastroschisis (p<0.05), however no difference between the groups regarding supplementation with glutamine., Conclusions: The gastroschisis experimental model is valid and reproducible. The nutritional therapy with glutamine did not change the morphometrical parameters.

In this report we describe a case of the Zoon's balanitis in a boy with HIV (AIDS B2). The clinical presentation, failure of topical treatment, cure by circumcision, and the histopathology findings are presented.