Antifungal Activity of Some Plants Used in Yemeni Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Capparis cartilaginea Decne.; Vachellia nilotica subspecies Indica (Benth) Kyal & Boatwr.; Fagonia paulayana J. Wagner & Vierh., are medicinal plants used in traditional Yemen medicine for the treatment a variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases. These plants were selected to evaluate their potential antifungal activity. To determine antifungal activity and phytochemicals in the leaves, and total vegetative extracts of three medicinal plants used in traditional Yemeni medicine for the treatment of various disease like rheumatism, piles fever, skin diseases and snake bite. Plant extracts from three species, namely Capparis cartilaginea, Vachellia nilotica subsp. Indica, and Fagonia paulayana, were prepared using ethanol and water. The extracts were tested for their antifungal activity against Candida species isolated from vaginal specimens of women. Phytochemical screening was also performed to identify various constituents in the extracts. The antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out following standard guidelines, and Amphotericin B was used as a reference antifungal agent. The study aimed to evaluate the potential of these plant extracts as natural remedies for Candida-related infections. The study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts from Capparis cartilaginea, Vachellia nilotica subsp. Indica, and Fagonia paulayna against Candida fungal isolates from vaginal specimens. Vachellia nilotica subsp. Indica (Ethanol Extract) showed significant inhibitory effects against Candida species, while Capparis cartilaginea and Fagonia paulayna (both Ethanol Extracts) had limited inhibitory activity. Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic potential of Vachellia nilotica subsp. Indica as a natural antifungal agent. Extracts of Vachellia nilotica subsp. Indica demonstrate notable inhibitory effects against Candida species isolated from vaginal samples. This research points to the potential for using extracts of the Vachellia nilotica subsp. Indica plant as a natural remedy for Candida-associated infections.