Antifungal Activity of latex and Lupenone from Jatropha multifida L. (Euphorbiaceae)

Jatropha multifida L. belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, being popularly used in Brazil for treatment and healing of infected wounds, gastrointestinal ulcers and candidiasis. Lupenone, isolated from the hexane extract of its leaves, was submitted to the synergism test for Candida tropicalis and evaluation of its possible mechanism of antifungal action. Lupenone was able to halve the minimum inhibitory capacity (MIC) of fluconazole against C. tropicalis with possible action on the cell wall and ergosterol of the fungal membrane. The fraction derived from successive fractions of the aqueous latex residue, was analyzed by HPLC-DAD and tested in the antifungal assay against the following yeasts: Candida albicans, Candida albicans Serology A and B, Candida grablata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans. This fraction showed a probable catechin with moderate activity against C. tropicalis and C. grablata. The presence of triterpene and polyphenols in J. multifida may be responsible for the antifungal and cicatrizant activities presented by the species. Lupenone may be used in combination with fluconazole in the development of a new antifungal. (author)