Spondias tuberosa is a plant that produces a fruit crop with high economic relevance at Brazilian Caatinga. Its roots and leaves are used in folk medicine. Chemical composition of a hexane extract from S. tuberosa leaves was evaluated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Antioxidant potential was investigated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Antifungal action on Candida species was evaluated determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC50) and putative mechanisms were determined by flow cytometry analysis. In addition, hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes was assessed and the concentration required to promote 50% hemolysis (EC50) was determined. Phytochemical analysis by TLC showed the presence of flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, saponins and terpenes. The HPLC profile of the extract suggested the presence of gallic acid (0.28 ± 0.01 g%) and hyperoside (1.27 ± 0.01 g%). The representative 1H NMR spectrum showed saturated and unsaturated fatty acids among the main components. The extract showed weak and moderate antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50: 234.00 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50: 123.33 μg/mL) assays, respectively. It was able to inhibit the growth of C. albicans and C. glabrata with MIC50 of 2.0 and 0.078 mg/mL, respectively. The treatment of C. glabrata cells with the extract increased levels of mitochondrial superoxide anion, caused hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane, and compromised the lysosomal membrane. Weak hemolytic activity (EC50: 740.8 μg/mL) was detected. The results demonstrate the pharmacological potential of the extract as antioxidant and antifungal agent, aggregating biotechnological value to this plant and stimulating its conservation.

A Caatinga é um bioma exclusivamente brasileiro que infelizmente encontra-se como um dos mais ameaçados do mundo, no entanto grande parte da população do semiárido depende dela para sobreviver. O presente artigo teve por objetivo analisar o uso das plantas medicinais nativas em quarenta comunidades rurais inseridas na Unidade de Conservação Tatu-Bola, no município de Lagoa Grande (PE). Foi realizado um levantamento através de entrevistas com questionários semiestruturados aplicados a 111 informantes durante os meses de março, maio, junho e agosto de 2016, no qual registraram-se 59 espécies nativas pertencentes a 26 famílias botânicas, sendo 14 delas endêmicas da Caatinga destacando-se as famílias Fabaceae e Euphorbiaceae. O hábito predominante das espécies foi o arbóreo, enquanto as partes mais utilizadas foram as cascas e entrecascas, sendo o chá a principal forma de uso. Quanto ao aspecto quantitativo foi determinado o valor de uso, o fator de consenso dos informantes e a importância relativa das espécies mencionadas. Tal levantamento revelou o amplo conhecimento sobre as plantas medicinais pelos moradores das comunidades de Lagoa Grande e importância de registrá-lo, uma vez que ela pode ter implicações nos estudos conservacionistas e de bioprospecção e no desenvolvimento de medicamentos naturais.

Background: The biotechnological potential of medicinal plants from Brazilian Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest has not been extensively studied. Thus, screening programs are important in prospecting for compounds for developing new drugs. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the anti-Candida activity of essential oils from leaves of Hymenaea courbaril var. courbaril, Myroxylon peruiferum, and Vismia guianensis. Methods: The oils were extracted through hydrodistillation and their chemical compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Antifungal activity against C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. krusei was evaluated by determining the minimal inhibitory (MIC) and fungicidal (MFC) concentrations. Results: The major compounds of the oils were caryophyllene oxide and trans-caryophyllene for H. courbaril; spathulenol, α-pinene, and caryophyllene oxide for M. peruiferum; and caryophyllene oxide and humulene epoxide II for V. guianensis oil. The oils showed antifungal activity against all the strains tested, and the MIC values ranged between 0.625 and 1.25 μL/mL and MFC from 0.625 to 2.5 μL/mL. Conclusion: The essential oils from the species studied have the potential to be evaluated as clinical applications in the treatment of candidiasis.