Screening of Tanzanian medicinal plants for anti-Candida activity

• Main Authors: Joseph Cosam C, Ngassapa Olipa D, Matee Mecky IN, Runyoro Deborah KB, Mbwambo Zakaria H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-03-01
• Series: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/6/11

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Candida albicans </it>has become resistant to the already limited, toxic and expensive anti-<it>Candida </it>agents available in the market. These factors necessitate the search for new anti-fungal agents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-three plant extracts, from 56 Tanzanian plant species obtained through the literature and interviews with traditional healers, were evaluated for anti-<it>Candida </it>activity. Aqueous methanolic extracts were screened for anti-<it>Candida </it>activity by bioautography agar overlay method, using a standard strain of <it>Candida albicans </it>(ATCC 90028).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty- seven (48%) out of the 56 plants were found to be active. Extracts of the root barks of <it>Albizia anthelmintica </it>and <it>Balanites aegyptiaca</it>, and roots of <it>Plectranthus barbatus </it>showed strong activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The extracts that showed strong anti-<it>Candida </it>activity are worth of further investigation in order to isolate and identify the active compounds.</p>