Anticandidal Activity of Moroccan Medicinal Plants

Abstract

The prevalence of oral candidiasis has increased over recent years in patients with the compromised general condition. There are a large number of plant species that have been traditionally used for oral diseases by the Moroccan population. These species could provide a source for discovering new active principles of natural origin against Candida albicans involved in the appearance of candidiasis infections. Information was acquired using the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed. In the first part, this review presents the medicinal plants used by the Moroccan population for the treatment of oral disorders (Toothaches, gingivitis, ulcers, stomatitis, abscesses, ...). The second part describes different studies regarding the antifungal activity of essential oils and organic extracts of some Moroccan species against Candida albicans. Inhibition zone diameter (IZD), Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of essential oils and plant's extracts were noted. The third part concerns Moroccan plants with the antifungal activity that can be used in medical and agricultural fields. Several species of Moroccan plant proved their effectiveness against Candida albicans and can be used for the treatment of oral candidiasis. Further research should be undertaken in the future to investigate the toxicity of essential oils and plant extracts with antifungal properties for clinical use. This review provided an update on Moroccan plants presenting antifungal activity and especially those active against Candida albicans.