Aims To evaluate the ability of Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata to develop phenotypic resistance to a benzophenone enriched fraction obtained from Brazilian red propolis (BZP‐BRP) as compared to fluconazole (FLC). To investigate possible synergy between BZP‐BRP and FLC and anidulafungin (AND). Methods and Results To analyse the development of resistance, isolates susceptible to these antifungals were cultured in increasing concentrations of FLC and BZP‐BRP. The increase in FLC minimum inhibitory concentration for all isolates was evident and the majority developed resistance, whereas none isolated became less susceptible to BZP‐BRP. Synergism was investigated by checkerboard method. BZP‐BRP demonstrated synergy with FLC and indifference with AND for most isolates. Conclusions In conclusion, the synergism observed with FLC suggests that BZP‐BRP could be a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of infections related to FLC‐resistant Candida sp. Significance and Impact of the Study The indiscriminate use of antifungals results in the emergence of drug‐resistant strains among previously susceptible populations. BZP‐BRP can become an alternative for the treatment of persistent infections caused by Candida sp.

Ocimum is one of the most important genera of the Lamiaceae family. Several studies about basil and its popular use reveal many characteristics of the herb, including its use as antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and cardiovascular agents, among others. In this paper, we evaluated genotoxic, oxidative, and anti-inflammatory parameters from the extract of Ocimum basilicum in different concentrations, using human leukocytes cultures exposed to challenging agents. Our results confirm that the O. basilicum extract acts as an antioxidant and effectively reverts or subjugates the effects of high oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide. These actions are attributed to its composition, which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids as well as compounds such as rosmarinic acid, all of which have well-known antioxidant activity. We also show that our basil extract presents anti-inflammatory properties, the mechanism of which is a composed interaction between the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediator and the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although pharmacodynamics studies are necessary to evaluate the activities in vivo, our results demonstrated that basil could act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and a possible alternative for medicinal treatment.

This study demonstrates the excellent in vitro antifungal activity profile of imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) against species of opportunistic human mycoses. Several ILs were identified as more effective and less harmful than commercially available antifungal medications. Frequently, emerging yeast pathogens are resistant against commercial antifungal agents and, as a consequence, this class of imidazolium ILs represents a promising breakthrough in their treatment.