Objective: To evaluate anti-Candida and anti-Cryptococcus activities of 15 non-alkaloidal compounds from Pterogyne nitens Tulasne (Leguminosae), a South Amer-ican medicinal plant.
Methods: Compounds were submitted to antifungal assays, using microdilution method described by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document, with minor modifi-cations. Five species of Candida and two species of Cryptococcus, including clinical isolates were screened. Antifungal activity was expressed by minimum inhibitory con-centration (MIC). Amphotericin B and fluconazole were used as standard antifungal drugs. Results: Among tested compounds, six substances presented fungal growth inhibition (MIC<31.2 mg/mL) [three flavone derivatives (1–3), a glycosylated flavonol derivative (5) and two phenolic acids (10 and 12)]. Sorbifolin (1), exhibited potent antifungal activity, demonstrating MIC value of 3.90 mg/mL against Candida glabrata ATCC 90030, Cryp-tococcus gattii 118 and fluconazole-resistant clinical isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. Pedalin (2) and nitensoside B (3), two glycosylated flavone derivatives, were active against Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 90012 (MIC=7.80 mg/mL).
Conclusions: Flavone derivatives from Pterogyne nitens can serve as prototypes for the design and development of innovative anti-Candida and anti-Cryptococcus hits.