Title:In Vivo Anti-Candida Activity of Artemisia herba alba asso and Citrus aurantium Extracts Formulated in Different Ointments
Volume: 19
Issue: 5
Author(s): Asma Boukhennoufa*, Mansar-Ben Hamza Louiza, Tir Touil Meddah Aicha and Meddah Boumediene
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Bioconversion, Microbiology Engineering and Health Safety, Faculty SNV, University of Mascara, Mascara,
Algeria
Keywords:
Artémisia herba alba asso, Citrus aurantium, ointment, Candida albicans, in vivo, antifungal activity.
Abstract:
Introduction: Today, people around the world have resorted to herbal medicine, due to
the increase in antibiotic resistance and the side effects of synthetic drugs.
Methods: Our research focused on the in vivo antifungal activity of three ointments formulated on
the basis of methanolic extract of Citrus aurantium peel, ethanolic extract of the aerial part of
Artemisia herba alba asso, and essential oil of Artemisia herba alba asso. Wistar rats were made
immunosuppressed by Dexamethazone and Tetracycline. Three strains of Candida albicans, S1, S2
and S3 were inoculated. The fungal load of the area tested, the weight of the rats, as well as the
macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the skins, were determined.
Results: Cutaneous candidiasis was manifested as red, thick, scabbed lesions, mostly located on
the infected area of t he animals. Microscopic observation of histological skin sections of animals infected
and treated with the ointments, P1, P2 and P3 showed a well-preserved architecture of the
skin. Erythema, edema, ulceration, erosion were seen in the skin of animals receiving placebo or
Nystatin. The P3 ointment exerted a very powerful antifungal effect against especially the strain S1
compared to the other ointments (log 3.07±0.006 CFU/ml). The weight was regained significantly
in the groups of animals receiving the ointments, and regression of growth was observed in the untreated
animals and those treated by Nystatin and placebo.
Conclusion: The EAH and MCP ointment and the essential oil of Artemisia developed, allowed to
retain their significant antifungal activity against Candida.