Curcuma longa L. Extract and Photodynamic Therapy are Effective against Candida spp. and Do Not Show Toxicity In Vivo

Abstract

Radiotherapy induces a higher level of Candida spp. colonization, resulting in oral candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the phototransformation potential of the glycolic extract of Curcuma longa (C. longa); the antifungal activity of C. longa, curcumin, and antifungal photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with blue light-emitting diodes “LED” on Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis in vitro; and the toxicity of C. longa and curcumin in Galleria mellonella model. In order to confirm the light absorption capacity of the C. longa extract, its phototransformation potential was evaluated. The antifungal effect of C. longa, curcumin, and aPDT was evaluated over Candida spp. Finally, the toxicity of C. longa and curcumin was evaluated on the Galleria mellonella model. The data were analyzed using the GraphPad Prism 5.0 software considering α = 5%. It was found that C. longa, curcumin, and aPDT using blue LED have an antifungal effect over C. albicans and C. tropicalis. The extract of C. longa 100 mg/mL and curcumin 200 μg/mL do not show toxicity on Galleria mellonella model.

Antifungal Action of Herbal Plants’ Glycolic Extracts against Candida Species

“…Still, the literature contains several studies on the application of curcumin as a promising photosensitizer to be applied in photodynamic therapy, including against Candida spp. [ 15 ]. In the present study, curcumin of 135.09 μg/100 mL was identified at 24.68 min.…”

“…In the literature, the antifungal action of the four tested extracts was proven against diverse Candida spp. in different study models [ 15 , 18 , 23 , 26 ].…”

“…C longa methanolic and ethanolic extracts were effective against C. albicans at 5–100 mg/mL after 24 h, evaluated by agar disc diffusion method [ 40 ], differently, C. longa alcoholic extract at 200 mg/mL was tested as an endodontic irrigant, and was not as effective as sodium hypochlorite after 24 h [ 41 ], the same alcoholic extract was effective against C. albicans in four different dilutions [ 42 ]. In more recent studies, the antifungal effect of C. longa was shown to be as effective as nystatin [ 15 , 43 ].…”

“…The increased use of fluconazole and other antifungal agents, has resulted in the emergence of more resistant strains of Candida species [ 14 ], highlighting the need to investigate new alternative therapeutics with antifungal action [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Rosa centifolia L. ( R. centifolia ), or hundred-leaved rose or Shatapatri or Taruni (Rosaceae family), is a perennial plant available throughout India [ 19 ], it has antifungal effects against C. albicans and C. tropicalis [ 20 ].…”

“…Rosa centifolia L. ( R. centifolia ), or hundred-leaved rose or Shatapatri or Taruni (Rosaceae family), is a perennial plant available throughout India [ 19 ], it has antifungal effects against C. albicans and C. tropicalis [ 20 ]. Curcuma longa L. ( C. longa ), or turmeric (Zingiberaceae family), is a flowering plant [ 21 ] that has antifungal effects against C. albicans , C. glabrata , C. krusei , and C. tropicalis [ 15 , 22 ]. Rosmarinus officinalis L. ( R. officinalis ), or rosemary (Lamiaceae family), is an ancient shrub originating from the Mediterranean region [ 23 ], it has antifungal action against C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C.krusei, and C. tropicalis in vitro, and in Galleria mellonella model studies [ 17 , 18 , 24 ].…”