Acute Toxicity and Genotoxicity of cMoL, a Lectin From <scp> <i>Moringa oleifera</i> </scp> Seeds With Antifungal Activity Against <scp> <i>Cryptococcus</i> </scp> Strains

Coagulant Moringa oleifera lectin (cMoL) is one of the compounds involved in the application of M. oleifera seeds for traditional water treatment methods. The present study highlights the new biotechnological potential of cMoL lectin as an antifungal agent against Cryptococcus neoformans B3501 and H99 and Cryptococcus gattii R265 strains. Acute toxicity and genotoxicity were assessed to provide information on security utilization. The antifungal activity was evaluated using the broth microdilution test, flow cytometry, antibiofilm activity, and synergistic effects with fluconazole. Acute toxicity was determined by administering a single dose of cMoL (200 mg/kg) to female Swiss albino mice and examining the following parameters: water and feed consumption, weight variation, blood hematological and biochemical parameters, serum cytokine levels, and histopathological analyses. Genotoxicity was assessed using comet assay and micronucleus test. cMoL inhibited the growth of all tested isolates, with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 7.5 μg/mL. Flow cytometry data showed that cMoL (7.5 μg/mL) significantly decreased cell viability by promoting necrosis. cMoL was not found to be an antibiofilm agent against Cryptococcus species; however, it acted synergistically with fluconazole against C. neoformans H99. cMoL (200 mg/kg) did not cause animal death or toxicity. No hematological, biochemical, histopathological, or genotoxic effects were observed. These results encourage the exploration of cMoL as a natural and safe antifungal agent against Cryptococcus.