Avaliação in vitro da curcumina frente às cepas de Candida spp. e Cryptococcus neo¬formans resistentes ao fluconazol

Abstract

Considering that some therapeutic properties of curcumin are well described, so the present study points to an antifungal effect of curcumin against strains of pathogenic yeasts resistant to fluconazole, strains of Candida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans. All strains studied were inhibited by curcumin with different degrees of inhibition among species with MICs ranging from 8-64 mg / ml. After exposure strains of C. albicans, curcumin a decrease in the number of viable cells was observed, thus indicating damage to cell membranes, with possible compromise of their functions. Our results showed that after treatment with curcumin, found in more intense staining with PI (Propidium iodide), indicating changes in cell membranes. In this study, the mitochondrial function of C. albicans cells appears to have been affected after exposure to curcumin. The collapse in Δψm (Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential) can lead to openings of transient pores in the mitochondrial membranes. In relation to the different mechanisms of action described for curcumin, there is evidence that DNA is one of the celular targets of this molecule. Our data suggest that after exposure to curcumin, cells of C. albicans showed total breaks in DNA strands. In conclusion, the compound curcumin has antifungal activity in vitro against strains of Candida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans resistant to fluconazole. In addition to promoting DNA damage and externalization of phosphatidylserine, the respective compound seem to act at specific sites near mitochondria of C. albicans cells, leading to death by apoptosis.