Plantas medicinais como fonte de novos compostos com atividade anti-sporothrix: uma revisão integrativa da literatura

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is an implantation mycosis caused by fungi of the genus Sporothrix. It represents a significant Brazilian public health problem due to its epidemiological expansion and the growing resistance to conventional drugs, such as itraconazole. In this context, the prospection for bioactive substances emerges as a promising strategy for developing new therapies. This integrative literature review aimed to analyze and synthesize the state-of-the-art of research on natural products against sporotrichosis, based on studies published in the last 10 years. The analysis of the 11 selected articles reveals investigations covering extracts, essential oils, and isolated compounds. Significant in vitro and/or in vivo antifungal activities were identified from the aerial parts of Pterocaulon balansae, Origanum vulgare, and Origanum majorana, the whole plant of Withania somnifera and Hypericum brasiliense, leaves of Ocotea notata, Ocotea pulchella, Myrciaria floribunda, Schinus terebinthifolius, and Rosmarinus officinalis, leaves and stem bark of Vismia guianensis, cloves of Allium sativum, fruit peels of Plinia peruviana, and the isolated compounds γ-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin against species such as S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, and S. globosa. Further studies elucidated mechanisms of action, including the destabilization of the fungal membrane and cell wall, in addition to modulating the host's immune response. The results reinforce biodiversity as a source of new molecules, indicating that research is progressing from screening phases to a mechanistic and translational understanding, opening new pathways for the treatment of this neglected mycosis.