To evaluate the effect of extract of P. cupana (guaraná) on some virulence factors of three species of Candida which are common in oral lesions.
Method:
The aceto-aqueous lyophilized extract of guaraná was produced by turbo-extraction (15 min, 40°C) and tested in vitro on C. albicans ATCC 90028 (Ca), C. parapsilosis ATCC 22980 (Cp), C. tropicalis ATCC 750 (Ct). We evaluated four indicators of virulence in presence and absence of 10 mg/ml of extract: 1) Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) by Microbial Adhesion to Hydrocarbons test; 2) adhesion (90 min), and 3) biofilm production in 24 h, both on abiotic surface (polystyrene). In addition was determined the percentage and number of yeasts attached on buccal epithelial cells (BEC). Each parameter was evaluated in triplicate and expressed as mean ± SD.
Result:
The extract induced decreased of the CSH of all yeasts, being significant (p <0.01) for Cp and Ct. Adherence decrease on abiotic surface in all yeasts, being significant for Ca (p <0.01) and Ct (p <0.05), however there was no change on biofilm production. Yeasts showed decreased ability to attach on BEC in extract presence, as in the percentage of BEC which had adhered yeast (Ca: 39±8.48 to 22±2.83; Cp: 34.67±4.84 to 21.5±4.95; Ct: 17.5±5.5 to 9±3), as in the number of yeasts which were adhered in each CEB (Ca: 1.95±0.24 to 1.52±0.05; Cp: 1.99±0.45 for 1.64±0.12; Ct: 1.45±0.19 to 1.33±0.11).
Conclusion:
The guaraná extract signals to a decrease in virulence of yeasts, decreasing CSH, adhesion and biofilm to abiotic surfaces as well as adherence on CEB, suggesting therefore its use in dentistry products.