1. Introduction

Fungal infections are considered a serious health problem, especially in people with weakened immune systems, and are a main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1].

However, the impact of these "opportunistic" diseases on human health is not widely highlighted [2]. Due to this, research related to fungi occurs slowly compared to those caused by other pathogens.

Among the different mycotic infections, those caused by Candida and Cryptococcus are the most threatening due to severity of the disease and higher worldwide occurrence [3]. The pathogenicity of fungal infections proceeds in well-organized steps. For example, Candida cell surface adhesion factors first promote its

adherence to host surface, followed by releasing of various hydrolytic enzymes and other virulence factors for invasion and damage of the host tissues [4].

In this way, plants stand out as the major producers of promising substances, the phytochemicals. Identification of new molecules with antifungal potential for the manufacture of new drugs, more effective and less toxic, is essential to facing the challenge. The use of phytochemicals alone or in combination with traditional drugs represents an important alternative to conventional therapy. The combination of drugs usually requires lower doses of antimicrobials. This reduction might lead to a toxicity decrease, which results in a higher tolerance to the antimicrobial by the

In the last two decades, fungal infections have shown a significant increment. In

Even though fungal infections cause significant amount of human morbidity and

addition to the increase in the number of patients with compromised immune system, factors such as increasing number of patients using catheters, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the rising number of patients requiring organ transplantations, as well as those with hematological malignancies and diabetes also

mortality, the impact of these "opportunistic" diseases on human health is not widely highlighted [2]. Due to this, the research into the pathophysiology of human

Recently, an editorial published in the journal Nature Microbiology [28] ratified the importance of not neglecting fungi. The call proposed a reflection on fungi and how these microorganisms have been neglected, even with studies already consolidated

The most frequent fungal diseases affecting populations in the world are candidiasis [29–34] and cryptococcosis [8, 20, 25]. There are several types of candidiasis as mucosal candidiasis, cutaneous candidiasis, onychomycosis, systemic candidiasis [35, 36], and pulmonary candidiasis. An important fact is that candidiasis is an infection that can affect both immunocompromised and healthy people [37, 38]. Candidemia is the most relevant and prevalent nosocomial fungal infection associated with a high mortality rate (up to 49%) in patients with a compromised immune system [39, 40]. The association of Candida with bloodstream infections depends on patient's condition, age, and geographic region. Candidemia is such an important infection that in 10–40% of cases, it is associated with sepsis or septic

Candida albicans continues to be the most prevalent species isolated from fungal

infections [27, 42–44]. However, the prevalence of other Candida species has increase substantially. These species are C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. orthopsilosis, C. metapsilosis, C. famata, and

Candida species presents high degree of flexibility, being able to grow in extremely different environments regarding to the availability of nutrients, temperature variation, pH, osmolarity, and amount of available oxygen [47]. This fact associated with the high resistance capacity of species to antifungals, their virulent features, and capability of forming biofilms with other species [48, 49] makes the genus Candida a serious risk to human health [50]. Thus, Candida species are highly adaptable and possess numerous strategies to survive in conditions that can affect

Cryptococcus spp. may remain latent in the lungs, leading to asymptomatic infection, or may cause multifocal lung disease. The latency period of Cryptococcus can range from 6 weeks to more than 1 year after inhalation [51]. The fungus

their overgrowth and alter their susceptibility profiles.

fungal infections is slow in comparison to other disease-causing pathogens.

2. Pathogenic yeast infections: a serious health problem

Phytochemicals and Their Antifungal Potential against Pathogenic Yeasts

contribute to this phenomenon [26, 27].

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87302

showing their medical relevance.

shock [41].

233

C. lusitaniae [44–46].

patient.

Candida species can cause a variety of infections from the mildest to the most severe being candidemia the most frequent hospital infection accounting for up to 15% of bloodstream infections. Candida species are the main causative agents in 50–70% of systemic fungal infections [5].

Cryptococcus species are other yeasts of medical importance, with more than 39 species, among which Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans are the most clinically relevant [6–8]. However, other species such as Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii are emerging pathogens involved in several types of infections [6, 9–11].

These yeasts are present in several environmental niches, such as woody sites (decomposing tree trunks, mainly eucalyptus, and soil), vegetable remains, domestic dust, and bird excrement, more precisely in Columba livia [12–14]. The source of the infection is exogenous and occurs primarily by inhalation or by direct inoculation into the tissue after trauma of desiccated spores or yeasts. It is believed that the only source of infection is environmental, since there are no reports of transmission between animals and humans or between humans [15].

The main virulence factors of Cryptococcus species are growth capacity at 37°C, polysaccharide capsule, melanin synthesis, and production of urease and antioxidant enzymes, causing primary or opportunistic cryptococcosis, such as pulmonary, cutaneous, and meningitis diseases [6, 8, 13, 16–19]. Cryptococcosis is the third opportunistic infection associated with AIDS [20].

In addition to delays in yeast diagnosis, there is currently a limited antifungal armamentarium in use against yeast diseases including only four chemical classes: polyenes, triazoles, echinocandins, and flucytosine. Antifungals act by binding specific components of fungal plasma membrane or its biosynthetic pathways or even cell wall components [21]. However, most of the antifungal agents used in the clinic is fungistatic and often led to the development of resistance by fungal species. Modern early antifungal treatment strategies, such as prophylaxis and empirical and preemptive therapy, result in long-term exposure to antifungal agents, which is a major driving force for the development of resistance.

Among the available antifungal agents, azoles are the preferred and most frequently used drugs for treatment of Candida and Cryptococcus infections. Fluconazole (FLZ), a type of azole, is often preferred in treatments of Candida infections because of its low cost and toxicity, in addition to availability in varied formulations [22]. However, there are many reports that described resistance development among Candida species, especially in relation to azoles.

Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends the treatment of cryptococcosis through FLZ and amphotericin B (AMB) with or without combination with 5-flucytosine (5-FC), followed by prolonged maintenance with fluconazole. Other azole compounds such as itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole, and posaconazole may be used as an alternative to FLZ in cases of contraindication or inefficacy of the latter [23, 24]. However, there has been a progressive increase in isolates of Cryptococcus spp. resistant to FLZ, which complicates the management of cryptococcal meningitis [25]. On the other hand, AMB and 5-FC are not available in all countries and are, respectively, nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic, limiting the anti-cryptococcal therapeutic [24].

Considering the limited availability of antifungals in use and the emergence of resistance, the control of Candida and Cryptococcus infections is a challenge in the modern clinic. In this way there is a continuous need for the search for new substances with new mechanisms of action with the aim of developing novel broad spectrum antifungal drugs with better efficacy.

In this way, plants stand out as the major producers of promising substances, the phytochemicals. Identification of new molecules with antifungal potential for the manufacture of new drugs, more effective and less toxic, is essential to facing the challenge. The use of phytochemicals alone or in combination with traditional drugs represents an important alternative to conventional therapy. The combination of drugs usually requires lower doses of antimicrobials. This reduction might lead to a toxicity decrease, which results in a higher tolerance to the antimicrobial by the patient.
