Padronização de extratos para a obtenção de produto fitoterápico antifúngico de Origanum vulgare L.

Abstract

Among the main infectious diseases, candidiasis is considered opportunistic, being the most common disease caused by fungi. Resistance to antifungal therapies is a public health problem and has been caused by the extensive prescription of these drugs associated with low adherence to treatment, in addition to repeated or prolonged therapy. In order to discover effective therapeutic alternatives, medicinal plants are sought for compounds that can be used in this context, exploring therapeutic benefits from the wide variety of biologically active metabolites. This work aimed to standardize the extract of the leaves of the species Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae - oregano), to subsidize the elaboration of a product for vaginal use, contributing to obtain alternatives for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Dry leaves of Origanum vulgare L. were collected at the Federal University of Maranhão, city of São Luís, Maranhão and submitted to three different extraction methods: maceration, percolation and soxhlet, using hydromodules for each extraction: 1: 8, 1:10 and 1:12. The extracts obtained were evaluated qualitatively using phytochemical tests, regarding the content of flavonoids and polyphenols and were subjected to evaluation of their antifungal potential against strains of Candida. Extraction by Sohxlet, hydromodule 1:10 showed 41.11% yield, while phytochemical screening showed variations in constituents, presence of polyphenols and tannins in different concentrations for the tested extracts, also indicating differentiated antioxidant activity that may corroborate with the mechanism antifungal. Liquid chromatography showed nine main peaks, including rosmarinic acid, defined as an analytical marker. All extracts showed fungistatic activity. From the results, in order to standardize the extraction process, an extract obtained by soxhlet 1:10 was chosen, which presented better phytochemical and antifungal results, in addition to superior yield. With the standardized extract, a pilot bioproduct was prepared, in the pharmaceutical form of eggs at 5%, having demonstrated good stability for 20 days. Thus, it was demonstrated the process of obtaining an extract of the leaves of Origanum vulgare in addition to stable formulations for therapeutic use, therefore, a promising alternative in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.