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. 2020 Nov 23;10(12):545. doi: 10.1007/s13205-020-02551-4

UPLC–MS–QTOF analysis and antifungal activity of Cumaru (Amburana cearensis)

Maria Tatiana Alves Oliveira 1,2, Marcus Vinícius Oliveira Barros de Alencar 2, Vicente de Paulo dos Anjos Landim 2, Geovanna Maria Medeiros Moura 1, Joelton Igor Oliveira da Cruz 1, Elizeu Antunes dos Santos 1, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho 3,✉, Jacqueline Cosmo Andrade 4, Irwin Rose Alencar de Menezes 5, Paulo Riceli Vasconcelos Ribeiro 6, Edy Sousa de Brito 6, Erlânio Oliveira de Sousa 7, Adriana Ferreira Uchoa 1
PMCID: PMC7683747  PMID: 33269180

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the phytochemical constituents, antifungal properties and antibiotic-modifying activity of the aqueous crude extract and fractions of Amburana cearensis seeds (CEFAC). The CEFAC were chemically characterized by LC–MS/MS–QTOF. In addition, the antifungal activity was assayed by the microdilution method against strains of Candida albicans. The phytochemical profile of CEFAC exhibited phenolic compounds, organic acids, and polyphenols. The results of the assessment of antifungal activity reveled an IC50 ranging from 45.6 to 2048 µg/mL. Interestingly, when CEFAC was associated with Fluconazole, we evidenced a decreased IC50 (1.81–11.9 µg/mL), suggesting a synergism with antibiotic. It was possible to identify in the crude extract and fractions several phenolic compounds, organic acids, and some polyphenols in positive ionization mode. These results suggest that CEFAC may present compounds with the ability to interact and act synergistically with antimicrobial drugs, highlighting its potential as an alternative source for the development of new antimicrobial agents.

Keywords: Amburana cearensis, Candida spp., Fungistatic, Fluconazole

Introduction

The fungi are part of the human microbiota (Siqueira and Sen 2004) and important etiological agents of human diseases, due to its ability to modulate the expression of virulence factors such as host cell adhesion, hyphae formation, phenotypic plasticity and production of hydrolytic enzymes. The genus Candida is the most widespread opportunistic fungal pathogen in the human body, causing mucosal and systemic infections, especially among immunosuppressed and hospitalized patients (Goulart et al. 2018). Due to the wide use of antifungal agents, drug resistance of Candida albicans is increasing, which poses a serious threat to antifungal therapy (Ksiezopolska and Gabaldõn 2018). Therefore, exploring new effective antifungal agents is urgently needed.

In this sense, natural products have been reported as sources of various bioactive molecules that may pave the way for novel antifungal agents (Ksouri et al. 2017; Zida et al. 2017). In addition, studies are carried out to promote the combination of antifungal drugs and natural products against resistant Candida strains (Calixto Jr. et al. 2015), which can be a strongly promise to face this challenge.

Amburana cearensis (Allemao) A. C. Sm., Fabaceae family (Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) is naturally widespread in Caatinga, northeastern Brazil (Bravo et al. 1999). The medicinal use of A. cearensis is common, especially in the treatment of headaches, muscle aches, constipation, and urinary tract infections (Leal et al. 2003; Agra et al. 2007; Lima et al. 2013). Several compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties have been isolated from A. cearensis seeds, including coumarins, methyl esters, phytosterols (γ-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol) (Calixto Jr. et al. 2015; Pereira et al. 2017; Zida et al. 2017). Thus, the aqueous crude extract and fractions of A. cearensis seeds were subjected to chemical characterization and antifungal assessments to verify whether they present any potential to induce a synergistic effect when combined with Fluconazole against C. albicans.

Materials and methods

Plant material

Amburana cearensis seeds were identified and provided by Floresta Nacional de Nísia, a Conservation Unit managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), located in the municipality of Nísia Floresta, state of the Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and the Caatinga Seed Network (UNIVASF).

Extraction and fractionation

The extraction was performed by homogenizing the seed powder of A. cearensis with 50 mM Tris–HCl solution, pH 7.5, ratio 1:10 (m/v), under constant agitation for 4 h at 4 °C and then centrifuged at 10,000×g for 30 min at the same temperature. The material was filtered, and the supernatant was identified as crude extract (CE). Then, CE was fractionated into three ammonium sulfate concentration ranges: 0–30% (FR-1), 30–60% (FR-2) and 60–90% (FR-3) of saturation. After each precipitation step, the sample was maintained at 4 °C for approximately 16 h and then centrifuged at 10,000×g for 30 min at 4 °C. The fractions were then resuspended and dialyzed for 20 h using distilled water. After dialysis, the fractions were lyophilized and stored at room temperature.

Identification of compounds by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole\time-of-flight (UPLC–QTOF) system

The analysis was performed on ACQUITY UPLC (Waters), coupled to quadrupole/time-of-flight system (QTOF, Waters) by Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA). The chromatographs were performed on a column Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH (150 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm), fixed temperature of 40 °C, mobile water phases with 0.1% of formic acid (A) and acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid (B), gradient ranging from 2 to 95% B (15 min), 0.4 mL/min flow and 5-µL injection volume. The ESI˗ mode was purchased in the 110–1180 Da, fixed source temperature at 120 °C, desolvation temperature at 350 °C, desolvation gas flow at 500 L/h, extraction cone of 0.5 V and 2.6 kV of capillary voltage. The ESI + mode was purchased in the 110–1180 Da, fixed source temperature at 120 °C, desolvation temperature at 350 °C, desolvation gas flow at 500 L/h and 3.2 kV of capillary voltage. Encephalin leucine was used as lock mass. The acquisition mode was MSE. The instrument was controlled by the software Masslynx 4.1 (Waters Corporation).

Antifungal assays

Strains and culture medium

The strains used in this study were standard type and isolated from Cultura Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS), specifically CA INCQS 40006 and CA URM 4125, standard and isolated strain, respectively. The strains were inoculated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA, KASVI) and incubated for 24 h at 37 °C. Subsequently, aliquots of the yeast were transported to test tubes, each containing 3 mL of sterile saline (0.9%). Inoculum concentration was standardized by comparison with the 0.5 McFarland scale (barium chloride) (NCCLS 2012). Sabouraud Dextrose (SD, HIMEDIA) in double concentration was used in the microdilution assay.

Chemicals and reagents

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, Merck, Germany) was used to fluidize the CE and fractions, while Fluconazole (Capsule—Prati Donaduzzi, Brazil) was diluted with distilled water and used as reference drug. The test solution was prepared by weighing 0.15 g of the CE and fractions and diluting with 1 mL of DMSO to obtain the desired concentration. Samples were diluted in sterile distilled water (16.384 μg/mL) such that DMSO had no activity on the tested cells (Stoppa et al. 2009).

IC50 and cell viability

To determine the concentration capable of inhibiting 50% of yeast growth (IC50), the CE and fractions isolated or combined with Fluconazole were tested by microdilution method in Sabouraud Dextrose broth in 96-well microplates with initial concentration of 16.384 μg/mL, and serially diluted to a final concentration of 8 μg/mL (Javadpour et al. 1996; Morais-Braga et al. 2016). Controls were also prepared for the diluents using 0.9% sodium chloride solution instead of inoculum. All tests were performed in quadruplicates. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h and then read on a spectrophotometer ELISA (Thermoplate®) at 630 nm.

Determination of minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC)

To verify the MFC, the tip of a sterile rod was inserted into each well of the previously tested plate. After inserting into the middle of each well, the rod was taken to a Petri dish containing SD with the aid of a guide plate attached to the bottom of the plate for yeast subculture and cell viability evaluation. After 24 h of incubation, the plates were analyzed for colony formation (Ernst et al. 1999). The concentration in which there was no growth of fungal colony was considered the MFC.

Evaluation of the modifying effect on Fluconazole action

First, the intrinsic action of CE, fractions and Fluconazole on yeast growth were verified. Then, it was evaluated if the antifungal action of Fluconazole was modulated by the CE and fractions. Therefore, CE and fractions were used at sub-inhibitory concentrations (MFC/16) according to Coutinho et al. (2008) with minor modifications from Morais-Braga et al. (2016). If the CE or fractions potentiates the action of the Fluconazole, the verified effect was considered synergic type. If it interfered with the action of the Fluconazole, the verified effect was considered antagonistic type. The plates were filled with 100 μL of medium + inoculum + sample followed by microdilution with 100 μL of Fluconazole at concentration of 8192 μg/mL. The mixture was added to the first well of the plate to be subjected to serial dilutions (1:1), ranging from 8192 to 8 μg/mL. The last well was used as control. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The reading was performed on an ELISA spectrophotometer (Thermoplate®).

Statistical analysis

GraphPad Prism software v.5.0 was used for statistical analysis. The data obtained were verified for their normal distribution using a two-way ANOVA (P < 0.05; *P < 0.1; ****P < 0.0001) and Bonferroni post hoc test. The IC50 values were obtained by nonlinear regression analysis with interpolation of the unknown standard curve obtained from fungal growth assays as a function of extract concentration and expressed in μg/mL.

Results

Characterization of CE and fractions from A. cearensis seeds

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show the composition of the CE and fractions of A. cearensis seeds determined by LC–MS/MS–QTOF. The parameters analyzed were molecular weight, ionic mass, retention time, fragmentation pattern and compared with the available literature. In this study, we identified seven compounds in the CE (Table 1), six compounds in FR-1 (Table 2), eight compounds in FR-2 (Table 3) and five compounds in FR-3 (Table 4), varying from flavonoids, phenolic acids, flavan derivatives, organic acids and phenolic compounds. The chemical structures of the compounds are shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) chromatography of CE from A. cearensis seeds

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) chromatography of FR-1 from A. cearensis seeds

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) chromatography of FR-2 from A. cearensis seeds

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

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Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) chromatography of FR-3 from A. cearensis seeds

Table 1.

Compounds identified by UPLC-ESI-TOFMS/MS in positive mode in the CE of A. cearensis seeds

Peak no. Retention time (min) [M-H]− observed [M-H]− calculated Product ions (MS/MS) Empirical formula Parts per million (error) Putative name References
1 1.18 689.2051 689.2082 689.2087, 367.1008, 352.8637 C33H37O16 4.5 Icariin glucuronide Shunjun et al. (2017)
2 1.29 527.1564 527.1553 202.1848, 184.9314, 178.0209 C27H27O11 2.1 QQCA (quinicquinic-caffeic acid ester) Plazonić et al. (2009)
3 2.94 467.1732 467.1706 329.0866, 261.0790, 179.0338, 137.0256 C21H23O12 2.2 (Epi)gallocatechin hexose II Ibrahim et al. 2014
4 3.11 305.0735 305.0720 179.0339, 167.0341, 137.0252, 125.0241 C15H13O7 4.9 Gallocatechin Ibrahim et al. (2014)
5 3.32 172.0376 172.0372 242.9876, 144.0423, 116.0501 C6H2N7 2.3 No identified –
6 4.93 218.2143 218.2120 177.0513, 145. 0170, 225.9959 C12H28NO2 10.5 No identified –
7 6.09 246.2422 246.2433 258.8799, 184.0619, 156.0619 C14H32NO2 4.5 No identified –
8 7.25 247.2733 247.2746 275.2783, 256.2661, 230.2536 C16H36NO2 4.7 No identified –
9 7.96 283.1002 283.1029 295.0207, 240.0207, 133.0802 C16H12O5 9.5 Dihydroxymethoxyisoflavone Oliveira et al. (2017)
10 8.26 119.0829 119.0821 437.2041, 185.1608, 120.0852 C4H11N2O2 6.7 No identified –
11 8.46 303.0885 303.0874 137.0244 C16H15O6 3.6 4′- or 5′-O-Methyl-(epi)catechin I Ibrahim et al. (2014)
12 9.27 393.3636 393.3639 334.3075, 249.1913,133.0866 C13H41N14 0.8 No identified –
13 9.69 332.3412 332.28 330.3311, 270.9351, 150.7104 1.0 Gallic-caffeic acid ester Plazonić et al. (2009)
14 9.84 457.2762 457.2743 155.0720, 458.2881 C31H37O3 4.2 No identified –
15 9.89 457.2829 457.2801 155.0675, 458.2868 C24H41O8 6.1 No identified –
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Table 2.

Compounds identified by UPLC–ESI–TOFMS/MS in positive mode in the FR-1 of A. cearensis seeds

Peak no. Retention time (min) [M-H]− observed [M-H]− calculated Product ions (MS/MS) Empirical formula Parts per million (error) Putative name References
1 1.18 689.2130 689.2117 689.2087, 367.1008, 352.8637 C33H37O16 4.5 Icariin glucuronide Shunjun et al. (2017)
2 1.94 453.7779 453.7796 454.7751, 451.7924, 449.7784 C6NO11S6 3.7 No identified –
3 5.35 147.0405 147.0446 147.0417, 62.1057 C9H8O2 − 27.0 Trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
4 5.37 147.0408 147.0446 147.0417, 62.1057 C9H8O2 − 25.0 Possible isomer trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
5 5.39 147.0407 147.0446 147.0417, 62.1057 C9H8O2 Possible isomer trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
6 5.40 147.0417 147.0446 147.0417, 62.1057 C9H8O2 − 19.0 Possible isomer trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
7 5.62 147.0417 147.0446 147.0417, 62.1057 C9H8O2 − 19.0 Possible isomer trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
8 6.65 299.0892 299.0919 284.0323,256.0673,184.0652 C17H15O5 9.0 7,8,3′-Trihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone Oliveira et al. (2017)
9 7.34 274.2764 274.2746 318.3075, 274.2844, 256.2657 C16H36NO2 6.6 No identified –
10 7.70 313.1020 313.1017 269.0793, 252.0761, 184.0693 C18H17O5 1.0 7,3′-Dihydroxy-8,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone Oliveira et al. (2017)
11 8.02 283.0938 283.0970 240.0811, 211.0820, 197.0556 C17H15O4 11.3 Dihydroxymethoxyisoflavone Oliveira et al. (2017)
12 8.33 119.0855 119.0861 113.0861, 117.1045 C9H11 − 5.0 No identified –
13 8.62 302.3014 302.3059 184.0782, 177.1111, 113.0846 C18H40NO2 − 6.0 No identified –
14 8.80 391.3424 391.3424 331.2966, 177.1157, 133.0889 C22H47O5 0.0 No identified –
15 9.25 323.2748 323.2797 373.1831, 339.2472,133.0887 C17H39O5 − 15.2 No identified –
16 9.44 393.3588 393.3588 393.3560, 334.3107, 177.1114 C22H49O5 2.0 No identified –
17 9.96 330.3365 330.3372 258.0484, 312.3296, 331.3336 C20H44NO2 − 2.1 No identified –
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Table 3.

Compounds identified by UPLC–ESI–TOFMS/MS in positive mode in the FR-2 of A. cearensis seeds

Peak no Retention time (min) [M-H]− observed [M-H]− calculated Product ions (MS/MS) Empirical formula Parts per million (error) Putative name References
1 1.17 689.2051 689.2082 689.2087, 367.1008, 352.8637 C33H37O16 4.5 Icariin glucuronide Shunjun et al. (2017)
2 4.03 591.3693 591.3686 401.1527, 172.8673, 133.0836 C37H51O6 1.2 No identified –
3 5.37 147.0419 147.0446 147.0422, 62.2985 C9H7O2 − 18.4 Trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
4 5.40 147.0412 147.0446 147.0422, 62.2985 C9H7O2 − 23.1 Possible isomer trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
5 5.49 147.0408 147.0446 147.0422, 62.2985 C9H7O2 − 23.1 Possible isomer trans-cinnamic acid Ibrahim et al. (2014)
6 6.12 246.2432 246.2433 247.4212, 184.0706, 156.0435 C14H32NO2 − 0.4 No identified Ibrahim et al. (2014)
7 6.51 285.2693 285.2700 269.7, 163.8, 150.5 C15H10O6 − 2.5 Hydroxygenistein Schmeda-Hirschmann et al. (2019)
8 6.63 299.0910 299.0919 283.7, 230.7 C17H15O5 − 3.0 Methoxy trihydroxy flavanone Schmeda-Hirschmann et al. (2019)
9 7.26 274.2721 274.2719 275.2858, 256.2728, 184.0647 C12H32N7 0.7 No identified –
10 7.28 274.2730 274.2719 275.2858, 256.2728, 184.0647 C12H32N7 4.0 No identified –
11 7.66 313.1066 313.1076 269.0793, 252.0761, 184.0693 C18H17O5 − 3.2 7,3′-Dihydroxy-8,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone Oliveira et al. (2017)
12 7.99 283.0953 283.0970 240.0811, 211.0820, 197.0556 C17H15O4 − 6.0 Dihydroxymethoxyisoflavone Oliveira et al. (2017)
13 8.02 283.0921 283.0970 240.0811, 211.0820, 197.0556 C17H15O4 − 17.3 Dihydroxymethoxyisoflavone possible isomer Oliveira et al. (2017)
14 8.29 119.0850 119.0861 113.0861, 117.1045 C9H11 − 9.2 No identified –
15 8.52 302.3076 302.3059 184.0782, 177.1111, 113.0846 C18H40NO2 5.6 No identified –
16 8.67 391.3500 391.3509 184.0709, 177.1171 C17H43N8O2 − 2.3 No identified –
17 9.23 323.2783 323.2797 373.1831, 339.2472,133.0887 C17H39O5 − 4.3 No identified –
18 9.32 393.3557 393.3580 393.3560, 334.3107, 177.1114 C22H49O5 − 5.8 No identified –
19 9.35 393.3589 393.3580 393.3560, 334.3107, 177.1114 C22H49O5 2.3 No identified –
20 9.75 330.3365 330.3372 258.0484, 312.3296, 331.3336 C20H44NO2 − 2.1 No identified –
21 9.90 457.2744 457.2743 155.0720, 458.2881 C31H37O3 0.2 No identified –
22 9.95 457.2778 457.2743 155.0720, 458.2881 C31H37O3 7.7 No identified –
23 10.11 395.3740 395.3750 335.3429, 184.0704, 133.0864 C23H47N4O − 2.5 No identified –
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Table 4.

Compounds identified by UPLC–ESI–TOFMS/MS in positive mode in the FR-3 of A. cearensis seeds

Peak no Retention time (min) [M-H]− observed [M-H]− calculated Product ions (MS/MS) Empirical formula Parts per million (error) Putative name References
1 1.17 689.2147 689.2140 689.2087, 367.1008, 352.8637 C33H37O16 1.0 Icariin glucuronide Shunjun et al. (2017)
2 1.25 136.0607 136.0610 152.0563, 136.0607 C4H10NO4 − 2.2 No identified –
3 1.72 136.0612 136.0610 152.0563, 136.0607 C4H10NO4 1.5 No identified –
4 2.64 172.0363 172.0372 242.9876, 144.0423, 116.0501 C6H2N7 − 5.2 No identified –
5 3.11 433.1133 433.1135 300.9686 C21H21O10 − 0.5 Ellagic acid pentoside 1 Schmeda-Hirschmann et al. (2019)
6 3.54 287.0533 287.0556 287.0538, 241.0332, 175.0282 C15H11O6 8.0 Luteolin Ibrahim et al. (2014)
7 3.71 133.0901 133.0865 207.0626, 151.0330, 133.0813 C6H13O3 2.7 No identified –
8 3.81 133.0860 133.0865 207.0626, 151.0330, 133.0813 C6H13O3 − 3.5 No identified –
9 4.02 591.3591 591.3592 207,0608, 151.0291 133.0836 C26H55O14 − 0.2 No identified –
10 4.13 635.3927 635.3927 465.0265 C39H55O7 − 3.3 Trigalloyl hexoside Schmeda-Hirschmann et al. (2019)
11 4.35 207.0683 207.0657 369.1195, 207.0621, 175.0858 C11H11O4 12.6 No identified –
12 4.37 207.0658 207.0657 369.1195, 207.0621, 175.0858 C11H11O4 0.5 No identified –
13 4.91 207.0661 207.0657 240.0811, 211.0820, 197.0556 C11H11O4 1.9 No identified –
14 6.11 246.2453 246.2433 258.8799, 184.0619, 156.0619 C14H32NO2 8.1 No identified –
15 6.52 283.0364 283.1029 295.0207, 240.0207, 133.0802 C16H12O5 9.5 Dihydroxymethoxyisoflavone Oliveira et al. (2017)
16 7.32 274.2742 274.2746 318.3075, 274.2844, 256.2657 C16H36NO2 − 1.5 No identified –
17 7.38 318.2995 318.2981 274.2706. 256.2648 C14H36N7O 4.4 No identified –
18 8.31 119.0870 119.0821 437.2041, 185.1608, 120.0852 C4H11N2O2 6.7 No identified –
19 8.56 302.3055 302.3059 184.0782, 177.1111, 113.0846 C18H40NO2 − 1.3 No identified –
20 9.17 304.3001 304.3004 212.2469, 133.0871 C21H38N − 1.0 No identified –
21 9.80 330.3346 330.3372 258.0484, 312.3296, 331.3336 C20H44NO2 − 2.1 No identified –
22 9.93 457.2736 457.2743 155.0720, 458.2881 C31H37O3 − 1.5 No identified –
23 9.95 457.2711 457.2743 155.0720, 458.2881 C31H37O3 − 7.0 No identified
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Fig. 5.

Fig. 5

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Main compounds identified in CE, FR-1, FR-2 and FR-3 of A. cearensis seeds. a aqueous crude extract; b fraction 1; c fraction 2; and d fraction 3

In addition, it was possible to identify the presence of some organic acids such as cinnamic acid and some possible trans-isomers in FR-1 and FR-2 (Tables 2 and 3, respectively). We evidenced the presence of some polyphenols as 4′- or 5′-O-methyl-(epi)catechin I in CE, and a polyphenol monomer trigalloyl hexoside in FR-3. The presence of the flavonoid icariin glucuronide was observed in all samples, as well as dihydroxymethoxyisoflavone, 7,8,3′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone and trihydroxyflavanone.

Antifungal activity of CE and fractions of A. cearensis seeds

All samples used alone induced inhibition growth of C. albicans strains (Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9), and FR-3 of A. cearensis seeds showed the lowest IC50 (123.5 µg/mL) against INCQS 40.006 (Table 5). However, Fluconazole + FR-2 showed the lowest IC50 (2.10 and 1.81 µg/mL), indicating that the combination of antifungal drug and FR-2 has synergistic effect against C. albicans (Table 5). Similar effects have been evidenced for the CE and FR-1 combined with Fluconazole against URM 4127 strain. On the other hand, we evidenced antagonistic effect when CE, FR-1 and FR-3 were combined with Fluconazole (Table 5).

Fig. 6.

Fig. 6

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Antifungal effects (μg/mL) of aqueous crude extract and fractions of A. cearensis seeds against C. albicans 40006. Fluconazole was used as a control against C. albicans

Fig. 7.

Fig. 7

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Antifungal effects (μg/mL) of aqueous crude extract and fractions of A. cearensis seeds combined with fluconazole against C. albicans 40006. Fluconazole was also used as a control against C. albicans

Fig. 8.

Fig. 8

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Antifungal effects (μg/mL) of aqueous crude extract and fractions of A. cearensis seeds against C. albicans 4127. Fluconazole was used as a control against C. albicans

Fig. 9.

Fig. 9

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Antifungal effects (μg/mL) of aqueous crude extract and fractions of A. cearensis seeds combined with fluconazole against C. albicans 4127. Fluconazole was also used as a control against C. albicans

Table 5.

IC50 (µg/mL) of CE and fractions from A. cearensis seeds against C. albicans strains

Evaluated combination CA INCQS 40006 CA URM 4127
FCZ 2.4 ± 1.2 7.68 ± 4.8
CE—A. cearensis > 2048 ± 3.6 > 2048 ± 3.2
FR-1—A. cearensis 1968.6 ± 9.5 1138.4 ± 4.8
FR-2—A. cearensis 1173.3 ± 8.1 1273.3 ± 6.3
FR-3—A. cearensis 123.5 ± 5.5 45.6 ± 6.1
CE—A. cearensis + FCZ 9.54 ± 4.0 3.14 ± 2.0
FR-1—A. cearensis + FCZ 3.51 ± 2.5 2.41 ± 1.8
FR-2—A. cearensis + FCZ 2.1 ± 0.99 1.81 ± 0.8
FR-3—A. cearensis + FCZ 11.9 ± 8.7 18.8 ± 7.4
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CA Candida albicans, FCZ fluconazole, CE aqueous crude extract, FR-1 fraction 1, FR-2 fraction 2, FR-3 fraction 3, MIC minimum inhibitory concentration, INCQS National Institute of Health Control, URM University Recife Mycology—P ≤ 0.05 in relation to FCZ control

Fungicidal activity

The MFC for all samples tested alone was ≥ 16.384 µg/mL for INCQS 40.006. However, fluconazole + FR-2 showed the lowest MFC (128 µg/mL) against URM 4127 strain (Table 6), which indicated a synergic effect of antifungal drug and FR-2. Conversely, CE and FR-1 combined with antifungal drug showed antagonistic effect against URM 4127 strain (Table 6).

Table 6.

Minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) in µg/mL to fluconazole (FCZ) alone and combined with CE and fractions from A. cearensis seeds

CA URM 4127
Fluconazole 2048
A. cearensis CE + FCZ 2048
A. cearensis FR-1 + FCZ 8192
A. cearensis FR-2 + FCZ 128
A. cearensis FR-3 + FCZ 8192
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Discussion

Amburana cearensis characterization

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites ubiquitously distributed among plants. They are divided in phenolic compounds, phenolic acids (cinnamic acid derivatives) and glycosidic phenylpropanoid esters (Ferreira et al. 2010). Phenolic compounds were previously reported as having antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities (Klančnik et al. 2010).

In addition, they exhibit antioxidant properties (Moure et al. 2001; Giada 2013; Flores et al. 2013), due to hydroxyls attached to aromatic rings. These molecules include flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, and tocopherols (Soares 2002; Angelo and Jorge 2007) that act as effective scavengers of reactive oxygen species, and chelating Fe3+ that catalyze lipid peroxidation (Andrade et al. 2007).

On the other hand, flavonoids represent a group of plant pigments abundantly distributed in nature. Its presence in plants may have a relationship with defensive ability, such as protection against UV radiation, antifungal and antibacterial actions, as well as attracting pollinators (Lavola 1998). These compounds have two aromatic rings connected by a bridge of three carbon atoms (C6C3C6) (Simões et al. 2007).

Icariin glucuronide is categorized as a flavonol, one of the subclasses of flavonoid, which have ability to induce bone tissue repair (Wei et al. 2011), human stem cell proliferation (Fan et al. 2011), immunoregulation (Kim et al. 2001), increases of cGMP in smooth cavernous muscle cells (Ning et al. 2006), increases of nitric oxide (Bin and Huang 2007), and mimics testosterone’s effects (Zhang and Yang 2006).

Cinnamic acid is a naturally occurring aromatic carboxylic acid whose molecular structure is usually presented in trans-form. It is part of the auxin group, plant hormones that regulate cell growth and differentiation, and some of its derivatives play an important role in plant defense against pest attack (Niero 2010). It should be noted that its derivatives exhibit antioxidant (Hussain et al. 2014), antibacterial (Chiriac et al. 2005), anticancer (Ekmekcioglu et al. 1998), antifungal (Sadeghi et al. 2013), antitumor (Lee et al. 2003) and phytotoxic effects (Nishikawa et al. 2013).

Coumarins are derived from phenylalanine metabolism, being one of the early precursors of p-hydroxycinnamic acid (p-coumaric acid), which is hydroxylated at the C-2′ (ortho-hydroxylation). The ortho-hydroxylated derivative undergoes a photocatalyzed double-bond (EZ) isomerization. The Z isomer spontaneously lactonizes, producing umbelliferone. Prenylation of the benzene ring at positions 6 or 8 of the 7-hydroxy coumarin derivative is the first step in furan- and pyranocoumarin biogenesis. Cyclization of 6- or 8-isoprenylcoumarin derivatives occurs by nucleophilic attack of the C-7 hydroxyl group to the epoxide formed by oxidation of the double bond of the isopentenyl residue. Based on the orientation of the nucleophilic attack, the product will be hydroxyisopropyl dihydrofuranocoumarin or hydroxy dimethyl dihydropyranocoumarin (Bourgaud et al. 2006).

Most coumarins are biogenetically derived from the shikimic acid pathway, but a significant number of them appear to derive from a mixed pathway (shikimic acid and acetate) such as phenylcoumarin. 4-n-Propylcoumarin, e.g., are entirely derived from the acetate pathway (Strack 1997). Coumarin synthesis can be induced by a response to biotic and abiotic stress, nutritional deficiency, chemical messengers such as plant hormones and other external metabolites (Cabello-Hurtado et al. 1998; Dewick 2009; Bosqueiro 1996; Haida et al. 2007). Coumarins have a variety of pharmacological properties, especially anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antithrombotic, antimutagenic and antihypertensive activities (Hoult and Payá 1996).

Characterization studies performed on stem bark extracts of A. cearensis, evidenced coumarin (Carvalho 1994), responsible for its characteristic odor, isokaempferide (Maia 2004), kaempferol and afrormosin, amburoside A (Leal et al. 1997) and B (Leal et al. 2003), vanillic acid (Bravo et al. 1999) and protocatechuic acid (Canuto et al. 2004), and large amount of sucrose. In addition, other studies show that coumarin (Carvalho 1994), isokaempferide (Maia 2004) and amburoside A (Leal et al. 1997) have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and bronchodilator effects (Leal et al. 2008). Of which some coincide with precursors of those found in our study. However, it should be noted that some identified compounds in this study are not yet reported for its biological activity.

Antifungal, fungicidal, and modulating antifungal activity

It is noteworthy that the indiscriminate and increasing use of azole antifungal drugs, both to prevent and treat active infections, has increased the prevalence of Fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida (Day et al. 2013). In United States, an annual increase of > 3400 cases of antifungal resistance were identified, as reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, thus making fluconazole-resistant Candida a serious threat (Gajdács 2019).

Fluconazole acts by preventing the biosynthesis pathway of the main constituent of the fungal cell membrane, ergosterol. It inhibits the enzyme lanosterol 14-α demethylase in the fungal cytochrome P-450 enzyme system, which is encoded by the ERG11 gene. Thus, lanosterol cannot be converted to ergosterol and consequently the accumulation of precursors occurs causing fungal membrane instability (Carrillo-Muñoz et al. 2006; Menozzi et al. 2017).

Alternatives for treating Candida infections are considered limited and many existing antifungal drugs have undesirable side effects such as high toxicity, especially in immunosuppressed individuals (Fica 2004). For these patients, antifungal therapies are a challenging situation, which represent an urgent need to research and develop novel antifungal drugs more effective and less toxic (Calabrese et al. 2013).

Bravo et al. (1999) already shown that the main component of A. cearensis was coumarin, mainly responsible for bronchodilator activity. It also highlights the presence of phenolic glycosides that presented antimalarial, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial activity in vitro. In addition, Salas et al. (2011) using natural and enzymatically modified flavonoids from plants against Penicillium, Aspergillus and Fusarium species evidenced antifungal activity. However, Steiner et al. (2008) showed that antifungal activity induced by isoflavone, especially genistein, demonstrated a better effect, but without a clear mechanism of action.

The combined use of drugs that can achieve synergistic results, showing increased of therapeutic effect, decreased minimal inhibitory concentration, regression of antibiotic resistance development, and a decrease in host toxicity has become increasingly studied as an alternative for the treatment of infections (Silva et al. 2015).

Some phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, catechin, luteolin and quercetin demonstrated in vitro antifungal activity against different Candida species, including C. albicans and C. tropicalis (Alves et al. 2014), corroborating with this study. In addition, Silva et al. (2014) evaluated the flavonoid combined with Fluconazole in in vitro microdilution against Fluconazole-resistant C. tropicalis, and observed a considerable synergistic effect, reducing the MICs of the flavonoids from 64 to 0.25 μg/mL, similar to our results against C. albicans.

Conclusion

CE, FR-1, FR-2 and FR-3 of A. cearensis seeds presented phenolic compounds, organic acids, and polyphenols, that contributed to its antifungal capacity and synergistic effects. Our results show that A. cearensis seeds can be considered as promising source of antifungal agents and modulators of antifungal activity. However, further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and to prove their efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action.

Acknowledgements

The autthors are grateful to the Brazilian research agencies FUNCAP, CAPES, CNPq and FINEP for the support of this work.

Author contributions

Methodology—antimicrobial assays (MTAO; MVOBA and GMMM); methodology—chemical analysis (PRVR; ESB and EOS); methodology—statistical analysis (IRAM; JCA and EAS); supervision o f work—(HDMC and AFU); resources (VPAL and JIOC).

Compliance with ethical standards

Ethical statements

This article is according to the international, national and institutional rules considering biodiversity rights.

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