Development of an antifungal liquid soap for gynecological use from extract of the leaves of Astronium urundeuva (aroeira-do-sertão)

Aroeira-do-sertão [Astronium urundeuva (M.Allemão) Engl.] is a plant with medicinal properties useful in the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Thus, the objective was to develop gynecological liquid soap with antifungal action from fluid extract of aroeira-do-sertão (EFA). The leaves of the adult tree were collected and processed, and the plant drug was characterized. To obtain the EFA, maceration was used followed by percolation with a hydroalcoholic solution (60%), with phytochemical identification and measurement of active markers, polyphenols (TP) and total tannins (TT). The antifungal action of EFA against Candida strains was also evaluated using the agar diffusion technique and the minimum lethal concentration (MLC) was determined. The liquid soap from aroeira-do-sertão (SLS) was evaluated for its quality and antifungal action, being compared to the results of a commercial intimate soap containing aroeira-da-praia extract (Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi – PLS). An EFA of adequate quality was obtained, with a TP content equal to 189.08 (±0.0306) mg EAG/g of EFA, of which only 9.43% corresponds to TT. EFA proved to be effective against C. albicans ATCC 10231, C. krusei ATCC 6258, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019, and C. tropicalis ATCC 13803, with MLC of 0.5% (w/v). SLS with 2.5% w/v EFA showed appropriate quality and antifungal effect similar to that found for EFA, while PLS exhibited lower antifungal activity due to its composition.Therefore, the formulated intimate liquid soap demonstrated relevant antifungal activity, confirming its potential as an alternative for the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis.