Cryptococcus neoformans infections pose a significant challenge to human health, particularly due to the lack of effective drugs and the severe side effects of those currently available. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a purified compound, 3-ethyl-6,7-dihydroxy-2-phenyl-chromen-4-one (EDPC), extracted from Alpinia officinarum, in comparison to fluconazole, in treating rat models infected with C. neoformans. A total of 120 rats were divided into six groups: a negative control group, a group infected with 1 × 10