The human microbiota is composed of various fungal species that inhabit healthy individuals in a commensal manner. However, when the immune system is compromised, these fungi can affect human health and consequently cause fungal infections (FIs), which can be classified as superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, systemic, and opportunistic mycoses (Arastehfar et al., 2020, Novais et al., 2024, Xu, 2022). Fungal pathogenic organisms continuously threaten public health and healthcare systems worldwide. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed 19 fungal species as pathogens posing a threat to fungal infections, highlighting species from the genus Candida (Osset-Trénor et al., 2023).

Candida albicans can be highlighted as the species predominantly associated with fungal infections; however, there is evidence of an increasing incidence caused by Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei. Since the discovery and the inappropriate and excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, their mechanisms of action have contributed to this scenario and led to antifungal resistance, thus rendering them ineffective (Chiș et al., 2022, WHO, 2022). Once these microorganisms acquire resistance to antifungal drugs, they become multidrug-resistant to conventional treatments previously effective against FIs, resulting in patient deaths annually (Marquez and Quave, 2020).

The pathogenicity of Candida spp. is related to various virulence mechanisms, such as the ability to adhere to and invade host cells, the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, biofilm formation, and the ability to undergo morphological changes from yeast to filamentous forms, such as hyphae and pseudohyphae. Consequently, some Candida species can penetrate tissues and organs through the presence of hyphae and pseudohyphae, posing ongoing health challenges and limiting the availability of antifungal agents for combating infections (do Socorro Costa et al., 2024).

Considering the need to search for new therapeutic approaches to combat FIs due to the rise of fungal strains resistant to available medications, plants and natural products, either isolated or combined with commercial drugs, present a viable alternative in fighting these infections. Medicinal plants have been used by populations for a long time in traditional medicine systems due to their traditional knowledge, low cost, and easy access (do Socorro Costa et al., 2024, Manohar et al., 2020). In this context, species from the Cordia genus can be highlighted.

Among these species, Cordia oncocalyx Allemão (Boraginaceae), formerly known as Auxemma oncocalyx Taub., stands out. Commonly referred to as “pau branco,” it is a small tree native to the caatinga biome, found in the states of Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Pernambuco (Cavalcanti et al., 2021). In the literature, there are studies conducted with extracts obtained from species of the Cordia genus that have demonstrated bioactivities, such as anti-edematogenic and anti-nociceptive (Bayeux et al., 2002), antimicrobial (Dettrakul et al., 2009, Pinho et al., 2012, Rodrigues et al., 2012), and anti-inflammatory (Medeiros et al., 2007).

Therefore, since species of the Cordia genus have demonstrated biological activities already reported in the literature and present antimicrobial potential, the present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of C. oncocalyx (EECO) through phytochemical analysis, its modulatory action on fluconazole, and its effect on inhibiting virulence factors by observing morphological changes from yeast to filamentous forms of hyphae and pseudohyphae against the strains of C. albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis.