<i>Mitracarpus frigidus</i> in the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Its Therapeutic Properties
<i>Mitracarpus frigidus</i> (Rubiaceae) is a Brazilian native species traditionally used in folk medicine and has been associated with a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Among the relevant targets, <i>Candida</i> spp. stand out as opportunistic fungi responsible for infections such as vulvovaginal candidiasis, a widespread public health concern aggravated by the growing limitations and reduced efficacy of conventional antifungal therapies. Thus, this study investigated the cytotoxic and in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of <i>M. frigidus</i> hexanic extract (MFH) against <i>Candida</i> species and its possible mechanism of action. Eleven compounds were identified in MFH, including pentalongin and stigmasterol. <i>In vitro</i> assays revealed that MFH exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) between 250 and 1000 μg/mL against <i>Candida</i> strains, indicating fungistatic effects. Mechanism of action assays revealed that MFH disrupted fungal cell envelopes, damaged mitochondrial membranes, and inhibited growth phases. MFH reduced fungal cell viability without causing mammalian cell cytotoxicity. In vivo, MFH reduced fungal infection in an experimental model of vulvovaginal candidiasis. These results emphasize the potential of <i>M. frigidus</i> as a therapeutic agent against <i>Candida</i>-associated infections, particularly vulvovaginal candidiasis, and encourage further studies, including those involving human volunteers.
Authors
- Mariane Rocha Cordeiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3211-6484)
- Rodrigo Luiz Fabri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0167-2277)
- Priscila de Lima Paula (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1586-7283)
- Nícolas Glanzmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4628-7655)
- Marcelo Gonzaga de Freitas Araújo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6320-3185)
- Renato Dantas-Medeiros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2208-7808)
- Thalita de Freitas Souza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7316-2233)
- Ana Bárbara Polo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6473-1601)
- Thayná Gomes Ferreira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6170-7841)
- Matheus Torres Branca (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6915-3150)
- Rossana C. N. Melo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1736-0806)
- Ana Carolina Morais Apolônio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9049-7660)
- Paula Ribeiro Braga Dib (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8241-3439)
- Lara Melo Campos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3039-0559)
- Ari S.O. Lemos
- Irley Olívia Mendonça Diniz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4449-624X)
- Luciana Moreira Chedier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8212-8056)
- Thiago P. Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7122-3015)
- Eugênio D. Hottz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2201-1742)
- Débora Almeida de Oliveira
- Lívia R. Gamarano
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (BR)
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics (PL)
- Institute of Botany of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SK)
- Exact Sciences (United States) (US)
- Federal University of São João del-Rei (BR)
- Thrombosis Research Institute (GB)
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Czechia) (CZ)
- Institute of Botany (AM)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Omega
- Published
- 2025-10-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c05713
- Primary Topic
- Phytochemistry Medicinal Plant Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00