Comparative study between Moringa peregrina plant extracts and a standard antibiotic against Candida albicans

Said Shannan Al-Khalasi 1, *, Abdullah Saif Al-Ghafri 1, Suad Nasser Al-Saqri 2, Habib Ahmed Al-Jahdhami 3 and Asma Musabah Al-Badi 2

1 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Aflaj Studies and Archaeo-Hydrology, University of Nizwa, Oman.
2 Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University of Nizwa, Oman.
3 The Natural and Medical Science Research Center, University of Nizwa, Oman.
 
 
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Science and Technology, 2023, 09(02), 022–038.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjst.2023.9.2.0065
Publication history: 
Received on 02 October 2023; revised on 29 November 2023; accepted on 02 December 2023
 
Abstract: 
Candida albicans is a common fungus that can infect people, especially those who have compromised immune systems. In the face of declining efficacy of conventional antibiotics for treating fungus infections, natural plant-based remedies are gaining popularity. Moringa peregrina has long been used for its medicinal benefits, particularly for healing fungus infections. M. peregrina extracts were evaluated for their antifungal activity against C. albicans in vitro. A comparison was made between the antifungal susceptibility of plant extracts and the antifungal susceptibility of a common antifungal drug (amphotericin B). The ethanolic extract of M. peregrina had the strongest antifungal activity against C. albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.50 mg/ml. In a similar way to the MICs of common antibiotics such as Amphotericin B, M. peregrina's antifungal properties have been attributed to flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. As a natural antifungal agent, M. peregrina may be useful in treating C. albicans infections. More research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of M. peregrina in human clinical trials. Considering the information currently available, M. peregrina is recommended as a potential natural antifungal agent for the treatment of C. albicans infections. In order to determine the optimal dosage, method of administration, and potential adverse effects of M. peregrina as an antifungal agent, more research is still needed.

 

Keywords: 
Moringa peregrina; Candida albicans; Antibiotic; Minimum inhibitory concentration.
 
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