Antifungal Activity of Crude Extract from the Seeds of Inga laurina (Fabaceae)

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude extract from the seeds of Inga laurina against bacterium and fungi and develop a topical preparation with antimicrobial activity. The I. laurina seed flour was extracted with phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) to obtain saline crude extract (SCE). The antimicrobial activity was determined by the broth microdilution method. Carbopol gel containing different concentrations of extract (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20% w/w) was prepared and stored (40 °C ± 2 °C) during selected intervals for up to 30 days. Homogeneity, odor, color, pH, and microbiological activity of the gel were analized. We report that SCE was active at 4 mg/mL, showing specificity against fungi and no signs of acute toxicity in the Galleria mellonella model. The MIC values ranged between 31.25 to 1000 μg/mL. The Carbopol gel + SCE (5%) showed an inhibition zone of 14.66 ± 1.22 mm at day zero. However, there was a loss of antifungal activity after 21 days. This is the first report that proposes the development of a preparation containing extract from the seeds of Inga laurina, which has demonstrated potential application in the treatment of topical infections associated with Candida sp.