Antimycotic potential of protein preparation and fixed oil obtained from Moringa oleifera seeds against Trichophyton tonsurans

Species of the genus Trichophyton are etiological agents of dermatophytoses. The appearance of fungi resistant to drugs used to treat these diseases has prompted the search for natural compounds with anti-Trichophyton action. This study sought to determine the antifungal potential of protein fraction (PF) and fixed oil (FO) obtained from Moringa oleifera seeds against T. tonsurans. The synergistic potential of the two preparations and their synergy with commercial antifungal drugs were also evaluated. The possible mechanisms of action were assessed using the sorbitol protection assay and flow cytometry using probes to ascertain cell death, lysosomal integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential. PF contained 72.24 mg/mL of proteins and lectins (specific hemagglutinating activity of 113.24). Further, FO had oleic (66%), palmitic (9.25%), and elaidic (9.06%) acids as major compounds. PF and FO were identified as fungistatic agents (minimum inhibitory concentration of 1024 μg/mL) but were not fungicidal. An additive effect was found for the PF+FO and PF+ketoconazole combinations, while a synergistic effect was detected for PF+itraconazole and FO+itraconazole. By evaluating T. tonsurans growth in the presence of sorbitol, this osmoprotectant was found to prevent the fungistatic action of FO, indicating that the oil acts on cell wall biosynthesis pathways. The number of cells in apoptosis and necrosis increased when the fungi were treated with PF and FO. Further, mitochondrial hyperpolarization increased in cells exposed to the oil. Of note, there were no changes in lysosomal integrity. In conclusion, PF and FO from M. oleifera seeds were identified as fungistatic agents against T. tonsurans, and are thus promising for combating dermatophytosis caused by this fungus.