Detection of Antifungal Activity of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.) Ethanolic Extract on Candida Species Isolated from Clinical Specimens

Abstract

Saeeda Salih Ahmed Salih, Khalid Saeed Hammad, Leila Mohamed A Abdelgader, and Ghanem Mohammed Mahjaf

Background: For ages, Curcuma longa has been a mainstay of traditional medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities. The ability of C. longa extracts to prolong shelf life and stop the spoiling of many agricultural products has drawn interest in the search for natural substitutes for artificial preservatives. Candida infections have significantly increased denture wearers, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The surge in resistance to existing antifungal drugs and the increasing number of at-risk patients, along with the limited availability of antifungal medicines that often cause severe side effects, is the root of this problem. These constraints underscore the necessity to develop new and more effective antifungal agents with fewer side effects.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of turmeric against candida species isolated from clinical specimens of patients suffering from fungal infection.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in the Shendi locality from 2023 to 2024 to determine the activity of ethanolic turmeric extract against Candida species isolated from patients with UTI or Candidiasis. Four Candida species were isolated, and in vitro susceptibility testing was done using well diffusion technique against ethanolic turmeric extract.

Results: Turmeric exhibits antifungal activity against Candida species. The study found that ethanolic turmeric extract affects other candida species more than Candida albicans; the halo diameter in Candida other species is 13 mm, while in Candida albicans, it is 10 mm in concentration is 100%. The halo diameter in candida species was 11.5 mm, 11.5mm, 16.5mm, and 16 mm, respectively. Moreover, the results indicated that turmeric is antimicrobial against candida species, and the effect increased whenever the concentration of turmeric decreased.

Conclusion: Turmeric extract can inhibit Candida species, with a more pronounced impact on Candida of other species than Candida albicans. This study shows how curcumin works against different types of Candida infections. It was discovered that using a mixture of drug formulations or curcumin and its derivatives can be helpful to get past the medication's resistance to fungal diseases, particularly candidiasis.

PDF