Leishmanicidal and fungicidal activity of lipases obtained from endophytic fungi extracts

This work describes the production of lipases from endophytic fungi: Vermisporium-like, Emericella nidulans, Dichotomophtora portulacae and D. boerhaaviae and the biological activity against the dermatophyte fungi Malassezia sp and Microsporum canis and the parasite Leishmania amazonensis. All fungal enzymes extract showed lipolysis action in the media that contains long carbon chain lipids. The proteomic analysis of lipases exhibits several molecules mostly ranging in size from 220 to 20 kDa, with clear differences in protein profile's yield. All fungal enzymes were competent to eliminate promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis at 5 mg.mL-1. The antileishmanial activity of lipases from Vermisporium-like, E. nidulans, D. portulacae and D. boerhaaviae in amastigote forms, promoted the reduction in viability of 78.88, 39.65, 63.17 and 98.13%, with selectivity index of 19.56, 30.68, 18.09 and 20.99. In relation to antifungal activity, Dichothomophtora enzymes demonstrate best action with MFC of 14.65 μg.mL-1 against Malassezia sp and Microsporum canis, respectively. These results allow us to infer that lipases from entophytic fungi displays activity against dermatophyte fungi (Malassezia sp. and Microsporum canis) as well as Leishmania.

Flavonoid Composition and Biological Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm., a Native Plant from Caatinga Biome

Caryocar coriaceum fruits, found in Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga, are commonly used as food and in folk medicine, as anti-inflammatory, bactericide, fungicide, leishmanicide, and nematicide. Due to the biological potential of this plant, this study focuses on the evaluation of antifungal and antileishmanial activities, including anticholinesterase and antioxidant tests, correlating with total phenols and flavonoids content. Peel extracts contain higher yield of phenols and flavonoids as analyzed by spectrophotometric methods. HPLC analysis of flavonoids revealed that isoquercitrin is the main flavonoid in both parts of the fruit, and peel extract showed the best antioxidant activity. In the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase assay, both extracts demonstrate action comparable to physostigmine. The antimicrobial activity of extracts was evaluated against strains of Malassezia sp. and Microsporum canis, using the broth microdilution technique, in which the extracts showed similar MIC and MFC. The extracts present antileishmanial activity and low toxicity on murine macrophages and erythrocytes. Therefore, these results suggest a potential for the application of C. coriaceum fruit's ethanol extracts in the treatment against dermatophyte fungi and leishmaniasis, probably due to the presence of active flavonoids. Further in vivo studies are recommended aiming at the development of possible new pharmaceutical compounds.

Phylogeny, Identification, and Pathogenicity of Lasiodiplodia Associated with Postharvest Stem-End Rot of Coconut in Brazil

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the most important perennial tropical crops. Stem-end rot is the major postharvest disease of coconut in Brazil. The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae is the only species that has been reported to be associated with this disease. However, a comprehensive study elucidating the true identity of this pathogen with molecular tools has never been conducted. In recent years, new species of Lasiodiplodia have been proposed after molecular studies were performed, indicating the existence of a species complex. The aims of this research were to study the etiology of the postharvest stem-end rot of immature coconut based on a combination of morphological and phylogenetic analyses, to establish the phylogenetic position of such taxa, and to assess the pathogenicity of each taxon. Four species were identified: L. brasiliense, L. egyptiacae, L. pseudotheobromae, and L. theobromae. All of the species were distinguished morphologically and phylogenetically and were proven to be pathogenic to coconut following artificial inoculation. L. theobromae was the most common and the most aggressive species. This study represents the first report of three additional species of Lasiodiplodia as causal agents of postharvest stem-end rot of immature coconut in Brazil.