Anti-candida potential of cinnamon extract in animal model

Subject Areas : Mycology

Fahimeh Alizadeh ¹ , Maryam Rahimi Foroudi ² , Sadegh Barazesh ³ , Elham Phishgar ⁴ , Alireza Khodavandi ⁵

1 - Department of Microbiology, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran
2 - Department of Microbiology, Agriculture and Modern Technology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
3 - Department of Biology, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran.
4 -
5 - استادیار گروه پیراپزشکی دانشگاه گچساران

Received: 2024-08-30 Accepted : 2024-11-30 Published : 2024-12-10

Keywords: Candidiasis,  Candida albicans, drug resistance, cinnamon extract, Animal model.,

Abstract :

Background and objective: Candidiasis is a common fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs has posed significant challenges in treating this condition. Consequently, plant-derived compounds, such as cinnamon, have gained attention as potential alternatives. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal potential of cinnamon extract in an animal model of candidiasis.

Materials and Methods: Clinical isolates and the standard strain C. albicans PTCC₅₀₂₇ were used. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of cinnamon were prepared, and their antifungal effects were evaluated through disk diffusion assays, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Mice infected with C. albicans were treated with varying concentrations of the extracts and fluconazole. Microbial load in feces and kidney tissues was measured.

Results: Cinnamon extract significantly inhibited the growth of C. albicans under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values for the aqueous extract were determined to be 6.25–6.82 mg/mL and 11.24–12.24 mg/mL, respectively, while those for the alcoholic extract ranged from 6.15–6.90 mg/mL (MIC₅₀) and 11.07–12.42 mg/mL (MIC₉₀). The MFC values for the aqueous and alcoholic extracts were 12.51–13.64 mg/mL and 12.30–13.80 mg/mL, respectively. A significant reduction in colony-forming units (CFU) was observed in the feces and kidneys of mice treated with the extracts and fluconazole.

Conclusion: Cinnamon extract demonstrated notable antifungal potential against C. albicans and could serve as a complementary or alternative therapeutic agent for candidiasis.

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