Title:Herbal Extracts with Antifungal Activity against Candida albicans: A Systematic Review
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Author(s): Hsuan Hsu, Chirag C. Sheth and Veronica Veses*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Moncada 46113, Valencia,Spain
Keywords:
Herbal extracts, antifungal properties, Candida albicans, gallic acid, thymol, catechin, nanotechnology.
Abstract: In the era of antimicrobial resistance, fungal pathogens are not an exception. Several strategies,
including antimicrobial stewardship programs and high throughput screening of new drugs, are
being implemented. Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of plant compounds
with antifungal activity. In this systematic review, we examine the use of natural compounds as a possible
avenue to fight fungal infections produced by Candida albicans, the most common human fungal
pathogen. Electronic literature searches were conducted through PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and
Science Direct limited to the 5 years. A total of 131 articles were included, with 186 plants extracts
evaluated. Although the majority of the natural extracts exhibited antifungal activities against C. albicans
(both in vivo and in vitro), the strongest antifungal activity was obtained from Lawsonia inermis,
Pelargonium graveolens, Camellia sinensis, Mentha piperita, and Citrus latifolia. The main components
with proven antifungal activities were phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, thymol, and flavonoids
(especially catechin), polyphenols such as tannins, terpenoids and saponins. The incorporation
of nanotechnology greatly enhances the antifungal properties of these natural compounds. Further research
is needed to fully characterize the composition of all herbal extracts with antifungal activity as
well as the mechanisms of action of the active compounds.