Antifungal activity of topical microemulsion containing Ziziphus spina-christi L. for the treatment fungal vaginitis

Candida species are opportunistic fungi capable of causing acute and chronic infections in the gastrointestinal tract, vagina and oral mucosa, among which the most important species is Candida albicans. On the other hand, the resistance of pathogens, the prolonged course of treatment, the high cost of some drugs and the incidence of complications and their unwanted reactions have encouraged researchers to study and find the drugs or effective alternatives, especially from medicinal herbs. Since there has been no study on the antifungal effects of the Z.spina-christi on Candida species, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different extracts of this plant on three Candida species. The Ziziphus spina-christi L. is used as an antiseptic to treat some diseases in traditional Iranian medicine Material and Methods: Antifungal effects of different Z.spina-christi extracts have been investigated against Candida species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Z.spina-christi extracts against different species of Candida. Z.spina-christi extracts were examined to test the antifungal activity against C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei using disk diffusion test. From the phase diagrams, Z. Spina-Christi -loaded microemulsions were selected at different component ratios. Microemulsion systems were prepared by mixing ethanol extract with the mixture of surfactant and co-surfactant and, water was added precisely drop by drop into oily phases with magnetic stirring at 37+0.5°C. The systems were equilibrated with gently magnetic stirring for 30 min followed by dissolving of appropriate amount of ethanol extract under ultrasonication. The final concentration of ethanol extract in microemulsion formulation was 3% w/w. Findings: The minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanol extract on C. albicans and C. parapsilosis is 3.25mg/ml and 30 mg/ml, respectively. But ethanol extract on C.Krusei and water extract on C.Krusei and C. parapsilosis were not effective. Inhibitory zone diameters in ethanol extract was 30 mm and 27 mm for C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, respectively. Conclusion: Conclusion: The Z.spina-christi extract had a significant inhibitory effect on the different species of Candida, but the highest inhibitory effect was found against C. albicans. More research is required to check this plant performance to treat the Candidiasis

کلیدواژه ها:

Ziziphus spina-christi L ، Candida species ، Candidiasis ، Ethanol extract