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Published on: September 16, 2022
Screening of Tanzanian medicinal plants for anti-Candida activity
Deborah K B Runyoro1, Mecky I N Matee, Olipa D Ngassapa
1Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences P,O Box 65013, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Background:
Candida albicans has become resistant to the already limited, toxic and expensive anti-Candida agents available in the market. These factors necessitate the search for new anti-fungal agents.
Methods:
Sixty-three plant extracts, from 56 Tanzanian plant species obtained through the literature and interviews with traditional healers, were evaluated for anti-Candida activity. Aqueous methanolic extracts were screened for anti-Candida activity by bioautography agar overlay method, using a standard strain of Candida albicans (ATCC 90028).
Results:
Twenty- seven (48%) out of the 56 plants were found to be active. Extracts of the root barks of Albizia anthelmintica and Balanites aegyptiaca, and roots of Plectranthus barbatus showed strong activity.
Conclusion:
The extracts that showed strong anti-Candida activity are worth of further investigation in order to isolate and identify the active compounds.
