Desenvolvimento de formulação tópica à base de óleo essencial de Pectis elongata e manteiga vegetal de Astrocaryum murumuru, para o tratamento de candidíase vulvo- vaginal

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a prevalent fungal infection among women caused by species of the genus Candida. Due to increasing resistance to conventional antifungals and associated side effects, there is a continuing need for effective and safe therapeutic alternatives. Pectis elongata essential oil (PEO), rich in citral, is known for its antimicrobial activity. However, the incorporation of essential oils into pharmaceutical formulations presents challenges due to the volatility and solubility of these compounds. This study aimed to develop a liquid-crystalline topical formulation based on murumuru butter (Astrocaryum murumuru) containing PEO for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. PEO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), showing a yield of 1.5% and a predominance of citral (neral and geranial). The antifungal activity of the oil was evaluated against C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis by Disk Diffusion methods, revealing inhibition zones greater than 40 mm, and by broth microdilution, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) ranging from 0.15 to 1.25 mg/mL. Four formulations with different concentrations of EPO (FB2, FB4, FB8 and FB10%) were developed. Characterization of the liquid-crystalline phase by polarized light microscopy showed that the hexagonal structure was preserved. In preliminary stability studies, the formulations maintained their organoleptic characteristics at room and refrigerated temperatures, but presented changes at high temperatures. The pH of the formulations ranged from 5.0 to 5.3. The antifungal activity of the formulations was tested by well diffusion, where the formulation with 10% EPO showed greater efficacy. This work highlights the importance of liquid-crystalline formulations and the choice of natural raw materials as promising alternatives for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, encouraging the search for effective phytotherapeutic solutions against fungal infections and with safe therapeutic potential.