The effect of conocarpan on susceptibility of Candida albicans to phagocytosis and digestion by macrophages

Piper solmsianum C. DC. compounds exhibit several properties, including antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether conocarpan alters Candida albicans growth or killing of the yeast by macrophages. Conocarpan showed strong activity against the yeast with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 20 µg/mL and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 30 µg/mL. Mice peritoneal cells (macrophages) were cultured for 24 and 48 hours in supplemented RPMI 1640 medium. Cellular activation was assessed by determining MTT reduction and nitric oxide production. Standardized tests were conducted to select the optimal parameters for the subsequent killing test. Results showed that conocarpan exhibited antifungal activity and that C. albicans cultivated in the presence of the compound had greater susceptibility to death by macrophages. These findings suggest that conocarpan may have potential as an antimicrobial agent for C. albicans infections, promoting macrophagic immune support by altering growth of the yeast.