Essential oils and major compounds of Hedychium coronarium Koenig (Zingiberaceae) against pathogenic yeast of Candida and Cryptococcus genus

Among the major causative agents of invasive fungal infections stands out the opportunistic yeasts of Candida and Cryptococcus . Regarding the problem of the high incidence of infections by these agents and the difculty of treating the low stockpile of antifungal drugs and the high toxicity of most therapies, the search for new antifungal compounds has been highlighted in recent decades. Hedychium coronarium , popularly known as “lirio-do-brejo” or “gengibre-branco” features several previously reported biological activities, including antimicrobial activity. Compound 1.8-cineole is the major compound in essential oil extracted from roots of H. coronarium , while caryophyllene oxide presents itself as the major in essential oil extracted from leaves of this plant. Our data show strong antifungal activity of compounds, against species of C andida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, with minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration equal to 0.2 % (v/v) for essential oil extracted from roots, while the essential oil extracted from leaves showed no activity against yeasts. The caryophyllene oxide showed higher antifungal activity for Cryptococcus spp. Thus, our results showed that the essential oil of rhizome is a promising antifungal agent against pathogenic yeasts. Keywords: Candida spp. Cryptococcus spp. Hedychium coronarium, 1.8-cineole, caryophyllene oxide. RESUMO Oleos essenciais e compostos majoritarios de Hedychium coronarium Koenig (Zingiberaceae) contra leveduras patogenicas dos generos Candida e Cryptococcus Candida spp e Cryptococcus spp estao classifcadas entre os maiores causadores de infeccoes fungicas invasivas em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Diante a alta incidencia destas infeccoes por estes agentes e a difculdade do sucesso no tratamento, decorrente do baixo arsenal de farmacos antifungicos e da alta toxicidade presente na maioria dos esquemas terapeuticos, a busca por novos compostos antifungicos tem sido alvo de diversos estudos nas ultimas decadas. Hedychium coronarium , popularmente conhecido como “lirio-do-brejo” ou “gengibre-branco”, apresenta diversas atividades biologicas ja descritas, entre elas a atividade antimicrobiana. O composto 1.8-Cineol e o composto majoritario presente no oleo essencial extraido de raizes de H. coronarium e o composto oxido de cariofleno e o composto majoritario extraido das folhas desta planta. Nossos resultados mostram que os compostos extraidos de H. coronarium apresentam forte atividade contra Candida albicans , Candida parapsilosis , Candida krusei , Cryptococcus neoformans e Cryptococcus gattii , com valores de concentracao inibitoria minima e concentracao fungicida minima igual a 0,2 % (v/v) para o oleo essencial extraido das raizes, enquanto que o oleo essencial extraido das folhas, nao mostrou atividade contras as leveduras. O composto oxido de cariofleno mostrou maior atividade antifungica para Crytopcoccus spp. Assim, nossos dados mostraram que o oleo essencial extraido das raizes de H. coronarium , e um agente antifungico promissor contra leveduras patogenicas. Palavras-chave: Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Hedychium coronarium , 1.8-cineole, caryophyllene oxide