Antifungal activity of the extract of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, Zingiberaceae, against yeasts of the genus Candida isolated from the oral cavity of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most common fungal infection among patients infected with the human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV), and is treated empirically with topical or systemic antifungals. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible antifungal action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, Zingiberaceae, on yeasts in this population. Samples were collected from HIV-positive patients who attended the Laboratory for Teaching and Research in Clinical Analysis at the Universidade Estadual de Maringá for routine exams. The isolated yeasts were identifi ed at the genus and species levels through classical methodology. Next, tests of microdilution in broth were carried out to determine the profi le of susceptibility of these yeasts towards the hydroalcoholic extract of C. zedoaria, following methodology standardised by the CLSI (2002). A total of 53 yeasts were identifi ed, 49 of them C. albicans, two C. tropicalis and two C. glabrata. These yeasts were inhibited by low concentrations of the extract of C. zedoaria (between 1.95 and 15.63 µg/mL). In addition, 7.82 µg/mL inhibited 90% of the yeasts. Our results indicate a potent antifungal action for C. zedoaria and suggest more detailed studies with a view towards the practical application of this phytomedicine in topical pharmaceutical forms for the treatment of oral candidosis or candidiasis.

<p>The comparison of the effect of curcumin with nystatin on inhibition level of <em>Candida albicans</em></p>

“…Alalwan et al, showed that Curcumin has the ability to be used in oral health care to amplify current preventative approaches for candidal biofilms on the denture surface 22. Shinobu-Mesquita et al, reported that the extract of Curcuma zedoaria, had antifungal activity against yeasts of the genus Candida isolated from the oral cavity of the human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients 23…”

Early State Research on Antifungal Natural Products

“…Many types of extracts have been reported to show antifungal activity in the literature. Extracts derived from Curcuma zedoaria [51], Psidium guajava [52], Plectranthus amboinicus, Aristolochia cymbifera , Plectranthus barbatus , Lippia alba , Hydrocotyle bonariensis , Hydrocotyle bonariensis , Justicia pectoralis var. stenophylla , Herreria salsaparilha , Mentha X piperita , Eleutherine bulbosa , Baccharis trimera , Calamintha adscendens , Albizia inundata , Bauhinia forficata , Cymbopogon citratus , Plectranthus grandis [53] and Euphorbia hirta L. [54] have all demonstrated activity against Candida spp.…”

Evaluation of the antifungal efficacy of different concentrations of Curcuma longa on Candida albicans: An in vitro study

“…[3] Added to this, the high cost and long duration of antifungal therapy have led to search for alternative antifungal agents with better efficacy and lesser side effects. [45] Various studies have been carried out with the aim of examining the activity of natural products against fungi that cause infections.…”