An alternative treatment for Candida infections with Nigella sativa extracts

Abstract

Background Nigella sativa is a herb from the Mediterranean region with antidiabetic, bronchodilator, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, lipid lowering, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Purpose This study aimed to reveal the antifungal activity of aqueous, methanolic and chloroform extracts obtained from the plant seeds, compared with the effect of traditional antifungals. Materials and methods Using standard mycological diagnostic methodology The authors isolated and identified 20 strains of Candida albicans from pathological products collected from patients hospitalised in different departments of the Craiova Emergency Hospital. Aqueous, methanolic and chloroform extracts were made from the seeds of Nigella sativa, in decreasing dilutions, in which Wattman filter paper discs were soaked and dried and then used to achieve the antifungal graph by using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion technique. Simultaneously, the testing was repeated using standard antifungal disks (Becton Dickinson) and the two sets of results compared. The antifungal effect was assessed by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zone, noting the concentration per disk. Results The results show that methanolic extracts of Nigella sativa have the strongest antifungal effect followed by the chloroform extracts. Aqueous extracts showed no antifungal activity. Conclusions The research shows treatment with natural products in a good light as an alternative for treating fungal infections. The authors envisage Nigella sativa extract enhancing the effect of conventional therapy.

A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

“…A 5-fold decrease in Candida in kidneys, 8-fold in liver and 11-fold in spleen was observed in the groups of animals post-treated with the plant extract. These findings were also confirmed by Histopathological examination of the respective organs [30] . Antidermatophyte activity of ether extract of N. sativa and TQ was tested against eight species of dermatophytes: four species of Trichophyton rubrum and one each of Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum canis using Agar diffusion method with serial dilutions of ether extract of N. sativa, TQ and griseofulvin.…”

“…Thus, it was concluded that TQ may have potential implication in breast cancer prevention and treatment and anti-tumor effect of TQ may also be mediated through modulation of the PPAR-γ activation pathway [59] . It was also revealed in a study of the assessment of the chemo-preventive potential of crude oils in N. sativa on tumor formation using a well-established rat multi-organ carcinogenesis model featuring initial treatment with five different carcinogens that post-initiation administration of 1 000 or 4 000 mg/L N. sativa volatile oil in the diet of male Wister rats for 30 weeks significantly reduced malignant and benign colon tumor sizes, incidences and multiplicities. The treatment also significantly decreased the incidences and multiplicities of tumors in the lungs and in different parts of the alimentary canal, particularly the esophagus and fore stomach.…”

“…The sample included 66 patients (case and placebo) with allergic rhinitis exposed to N. sativa oil. Individual characteristics, including age and sex, and characteristics of the disease, including nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy nose, and sneezing attacks, were evaluated for a period of 30 d The results show that N. sativa could reduce the presence of the nasal mucosal congestion, nasal itching, runny nose, sneezing attacks, turbinate hypertrophy, and mucosal pallor during the first 2 weeks (day 15). The anti-allergic effects of N. sativa components could be attributed to allergic rhinitis.…”

“…Animals were injected with vehicle, TQ (10,20 mg/kg), omeprazole (10,20 mg/kg) or their combination (10 mg/kg). Thirty minutes later, pyloric ligation was carried out and followed consequently with ischemia for another 30 min, abided by reperfusion for 120 min. The ischemia/reperfusion insult increased the gastric acid secretion, acid output, and pepsin, as well as the gastric mucosal content/activity of lipid peroxide, proton pump and myeloperoxidase, along with ulcer index.…”

“…The bronchodilatory effects of 50 and 100 mg/kg of boiled extract in comparison with 6 mg/kg theophylline were studied on 15 asthmatic patients. PFTs including forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow, maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF), maximal expiratory flow at 75%, 50% and 25% of the FVC [MEF (75), MEF(50), and MEF (25,) respectively] and specific airway conductance (sGaw) were measured before administration and repeated 30,60,90,120,150 and 180 min after administration of the oral extract and theophylline. The results showed that the extract caused significant increase in all measured PFTs, in most time intervals, (P<0.05 to P<0.001).…”