Abstract

In the scope of our ongoing research on bioactive agents from natural sources, 24 extracts and fractions obtained from Piper arboreum Aub. and Piper tuberculatumJacq. (Piperaceae) were screened for antifungal activity by using broth microdilution method. The current investigation reveals that P. arboreum extracts and fractions were more effective against Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis thanCryptococcus neoformans. The growth of Candida albicans was weakly affected by all the tested extracts and fractions. The strongest effects were observed for hexane and ethyl acetate fractions from leaves of P. arboreum, with MIC values (in µg/ml) of 15.6 and 31.2 µg/ml against C. krusei, respectively. Additionally, phytochemical investigation of the hexane fraction of P. arboreum leaves furnished 3 pyrrolidine amides; piperyline, 4,5-dihydropiperyline and tetrahydropiperyline, which could be responsible, at least in part for the observed antifungal activity. The most active compound, tetrahydropiperyline, displayed MIC values of 15.6 µg/ml against C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. neoformans.

Key words: Antifungal, antimicrobial, Piper arboreum, Piper tuberculatum,Piperaceae, Candida, Cryptococcus neoformans.