Evaluation of propolis and its subproduct as an inhibitor of growth and biofilm formation in vaginal yeast from pregnant women

Abstract

The treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is still unsatisfactory, especially in pregnant women, being promising to the utilization of alternative therapies. Propolis extract (PES) has demonstrated antifungal efficacy and low toxicity. In addition, the subproduct of propolis extract (SPES) is produced during the process of preparing PES and is usually discarded, but can still submit substances responsible for biological effects, such as the polyphenols, responsible for the therapeutic activity of propolis. SPES have not been investigated or used as an antimicrobial agent. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of PES and SPES on Candida spp. isolated from the vaginal material of pregnant women. Vaginal samples from 291 pregnant women were collected and cultivated for yeasts, which were identified by the classical method and performing susceptibility tests against PES, SPES and conventional antifungal agents. The anti-biofilm effect and cytotoxicity tests of the PES and SPES were evaluated. In 38.48% (112/291) of the women the culture was positive for Candida spp. being 82.61% C. albicans; 6.08% C. glabrata; 5.22% C. tropicalis; 5.22% C. parapsilosis and 0.87% C. krusei. PES and SPES were effective, even against isolates resistant to conventional antifungal and reduced about 62% of the biofilm of Candida spp., besides presenting its low toxicity in the concentrations of fungicides. Thus, besides PES the SPPS is also a promising alternative for the CVV treatment, especially in this population.