BLACK GRAPE POMACE (Vitis vinifera) EXHIBITS POTENTANTIFUNGAL AND IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY AGAINST Candida albicans: LC-MS CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VIVO VALIDATION IN A SILKWORM MODEL
The search for viable and efficient substitutes is imperative due to Candida albicans' growing resistance totraditional antifungal treatments. This study explores the phytochemical content and multifunctional therapeuticpotential of grape pomace, an underutilised agro-industrial by-product of Vitis vinifera. LC-MS and GC-MS analysisof two varieties, dark grape pomace (GP1) and light grape pomace (GP2), revealed different bioactive profiles, suchas manumycin A and triamcinolone diacetate in GP1 and catechin and gallic acid in GP2. With a zone of inhibitionof 22 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.50 µg mL -1 , GP1 showed strong antifungal activitythat was comparable to fluconazole's effectiveness. In addition to its antifungal properties, GP1 demonstrated dose- dependent anti-inflammatory activity through nitric oxide scavenging and IL-6 reduction, as well as improvedwound healing in fibroblast tests. Crucially, better survival rates and decreased fungal load were validated by invivovalidation using the Bombyx mori model, underscoring its therapeutic value. This work demonstrates a robust relationship between biological activity and phytochemical composition, establishing grape pomace as a viable, affordable, and sustainable source of multipurpose bioactives. The results encourage the incorporation of agro-wasteinto pharmaceutical research and promote natural antifungal methods. Additionally, this work encourages circular economy techniques in drug discovery and healthcare applications and lays the groundwork for future translational research aimed at resistant fungal diseases.
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