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March 1, 2026Processes0 citationsOpen Access

Evaluation of the Antifungal and Cytotoxic Potential of Crude Extracts from Sterculia foetida L. Seeds—Bulbostylis capillaris (L.) Kunth ex CB Clarke and Pouteria caimito (Ruiz and Pav.) Radlk in Candida spp.

RAR. M. de AlmeidaUniversidade Federal Fluminense LQLuis Fernando QuejadaUniversidade Federal Fluminense LSLusinalva Leonardo da SilvaUniversidade Federal Fluminense

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of crude extracts from specific plant seeds.
Extraction of crude extracts using saline, hexane, and sequential methods.
Antifungal activity tested via disk diffusion assays and broth microdilution.
Cytotoxicity assessed on mouse bone marrow cells with CC50 determination.
Selectivity index calculated as CC50 divided by EC50.
Statistical analysis performed using ANOVA with p < 0.05.
Saline, hexane, and hexane-saline extracts of S. foetida and saline extract of B. capillaris showed higher selectivity indices than ketoconazole.
Only the saline extract of B. capillaris had greater selectivity against C. glabrata compared to the reference drug.
All extracts of P. caimito had lower EC50/24 h values than ketoconazole but exhibited low selectivity, indicating higher toxicity.

Abstract

Brazil is home to one of the greatest biodiversities on the planet, with numerous plant species with unexplored pharmacological potential. In this study, the antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of crude extracts obtained from the seeds of Sterculia foetida L., Bulbostylis capillaris (L.) Kunth ex CB Clarke, and Pouteria caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk were investigated. The previously dehydrated seeds were subjected to extraction with physiological saline (saline extract), hexane (hexane extract) and sequential extraction with hexane followed by saline (hexane-saline extract). To determine antifungal activity via disk diffusion assays, broth microdilution based on the CLSI and evaluation of cellular specificity (EC50) by redox metabolism with resazurin were performed on C. albicans ATCC 14053, C. albicans ATCC 24433 and non-albicans species Candida krusei ATCC 6258 and C. glabrata ATCC 22019. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in mouse bone marrow cells by determining the cytotoxic concentration (CC50/24 h). The selectivity index (SI) was calculated as the ratio between CC50 and EC50. Statistical analysis of the data was performed via ANOVA, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Saline, hexane, and hexane—saline extracts of S. foetida, as well as the saline extract of B. capillaris, showed selectivity indices higher than those of ketoconazole against C. albicans and C. krusei. With respect to C. glabrata, only the saline extract of B. capillaris demonstrated greater selectivity than the reference drug. All P. caimito extracts presented lower EC50/24 h values than did ketoconazole but presented a low selectivity index, suggesting high cellular toxicity. The results obtained demonstrate that the crude extracts of S. foetida and B. capillaris seeds have significant antifungal activity and represent promising sources of bioactive compounds. Future studies should focus on the purification, isolation, and characterization of the active principles responsible for the observed activity.

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