The anti-candidal activity of Satureja khuzistanica ethanol extract against clinical isolates of C. albicans

Herbal Extracts with Antifungal Activity against Candida albicans: A Systematic Review

In the era of antimicrobial resistance, fungal pathogens are not an exception. Several strategies, including antimicrobial stewardship programs and high throughput screening of new drugs, are being implemented. Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of plant compounds with antifungal activity. In this systematic review, we examine the use of natural compounds as a possible avenue to fight fungal infections produced by Candida albicans, the most common human fungal pathogen. Electronic literature searches were conducted through PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Science Direct limited to the 5 years. A total of 131 articles were included, with 186 plants extracts evaluated. Although the majority of the natural extracts exhibited antifungal activities against C. albicans (both in vivo and in vitro), the strongest antifungal activity was obtained from Lawsonia inermis, Pelargonium graveolens, Camellia sinensis, Mentha piperita, and Citrus latifolia. The main components with proven antifungal activities were phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, thymol, and flavonoids (especially catechin), polyphenols such as tannins, terpenoids and saponins. The incorporation of nanotechnology greatly enhances the antifungal properties of these natural compounds. Further research is needed to fully characterize the composition of all herbal extracts with antifungal activity as well as the mechanisms of action of the active compounds.

Antifungal effects of Ziziphora tenuior, Lavandula angustifolia, Cuminum cyminum essential oils against clinical isolates of Candida albicans from women suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis

Candida sp. especially C. albicans is the main cause of candidiasis in women in reproductive ages. The prevalence of drug resistant C. albicans along with adverse effects of current treatments have encouraged the scientists to research on medicinal plant’s essential oils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of Ziziphora tenuior, Lavandula angustifolia, Cuminum cyminum essential oils against clinical isolates of C. albicans, which were isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The anti-candidal effects of these commercial essential oils were screened against these clinical isolates (n=80) by disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution assays. The means of inhibition zone diameters, MIC and MFCs were reported for each essential oil. Also, the capability of fungal strain for biofilm formation in comparison with C. albicans ATCC 10231 were determined. The anti-biofilm effects of essential oils against 11 biofilm producing strains of C. albicans were determined. The results showed C. cyminum and Z. tenuior essential oils had the best anti-candidal effects, while the best biofilm killing effects was for L. angustifolia essential oil. C. cyminum and Z. tenuior essential oils can be formulated for more evaluations in preclinical and clinical studies.