Atividade antibiofilme do extrato etanólico das folhas de Cochlospermum regium (Mart &Schrank) Pilger (Bixaceae) contra Cryptococcus gattii

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis that affects immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients, being the second most fatal neurological disease in Brazil. It is caused by yeasts of the genus Cryptococcus, prevailing to the species C. neoformans and C. gattii, which have potential to form biofilm, this considered an important factor of virulence. Cochlospermum regium (Bixaceae) is popularly known as "Algodãozinho" or "Algodãozinho-do-Cerrado" with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic and other activities. The present study had as objective to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Cochlospermum regium against biofilms of Cryptococcus gattii. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. regium presented inhibitory activity in the formation of biofilm and also in the reduction of biofilm formed against C. gattii ATCC 56990. The concentrations tested showed significant values (P <0.05) for ANOVA and Tukey's post-test, in both tests, the concentration of 10 mg/L-1 presented a prominent activity when compared to the other concentrations and the control not treated. Thus, the ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. regium can be an important alternative source for the development of antifungal drugs in the combat of biofilms of C. gattii, as well as of systemic diseases caused by yeasts of the genus Cryptococcus.