Methanolic Extract of the Herb Ononis spinosa L. Is an Antifungal Agent with no Cytotoxicity to Primary Human Cells

<i>Ononis spinosa</i> L. is a plant traditionally used as folk remedy. There are numerous studies regarding chemical constituents and health beneficial properties of Ononidis Radix. The following study was designed to investigate chemical composition and antifungal potential of the methanolic extract obtained from the <i>O. spinosa</i> L. herb. Chemical analyses regarding phenolic compounds of <i>O. spinosa</i> were performed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI/MSn). Antifungal activity, antibiofilm properties and antifungal mode of action of the extract were evaluated, as well as cytotoxicity. Chemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids, isoflavonoids and phenolic acids in <i>O. spinosa,</i> with kaempherol-<i>O</i>-hexoside-pentoside being the most abundant compound (5.1 mg/g extract). Methanolic extract was active against all of the tested microfungi with <i>Penicillium aurantiogriseum</i> being the most sensitive to the extract inhibitory effect at 0.02 mg/mL; and effectively inhibited biofilms formed by <i>Candida</i> strains. Minimum fungicidal concentrations of extract rose in the presence of ergosterol and leakage of cellular components was detected. The extract showed no cytotoxicity to human gingival fibroblast (HGF-1) cells. This study significantly contributes to overall knowledge about medicinal potential of <i>O. spinosa</i> herbal extract and enlightens previously unrevealed properties. <i>O. spinosa</i> aerial parts seem to be an interesting candidate for the development of antifungal preparations, non-toxic to human cells.