Evaluation of the Antifungal Effect of Chicory Extracts on Candida Glabrata and Candida Krusei in a Laboratory Environment

Abstract

Aim: This research has evaluated the extract's antifungal effects on Candida glabrata and Candida krusei in a laboratory environment. Materials and methods:In this research, to evaluate the antifungal effect and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination of chicory extract, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) was used. Candida glabrata and C. krusei funguses were procured from the Tehran Pasteur Institute; they were grown in the relative growing environment according to the required conditions. Also for further assurance about the macrodilution method reality, the agar well diffusion method was used. Finally, the obtained results were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 software. Results:The MIC for the chicory extract was 50 µg/mL for C. krusei and 100 µg/mL for C. glabrata. On the contrary, in the evaluation of different concentrations of the chicory extract by the agar well diffusion method, C. krusei's lack of growth in similar concentrations was greater than that of C. glabrata. As a result, the findings related to both the methods of agar well diffusion and MIC prevention concentration maximization proved that C. krusei sensitivity to the chicory extract is more compared with the sensitivity of C. glabrata. Evaluation of the Antifungal Effect of Chicory Extracts on Conclusion:Chicory extract has the benefits of low price, accessibility, and proper taste as compared with nystatin. It also has fewer side effects, and after a clinical test, it could be considered a proper candidate as an antifungal drug against infections caused by C. krusei and C. glabrata. Clinical significance:The results obtained from this research have shown that chicory extract has antifungal features and is the best choice as an antifungal drug because of its low price, accessibility, and proper taste as compared with nystatin.

Middle Eastern Plant Extracts: An Alternative to Modern Medicine Problems

“…Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a plant that originated from the Iranian region and has been reported to have anti-fungal property [103]. The leaves of the chicory plant soaked in ethanol were tested against the candidiasis pathogen, Candida glabrata and Candida krusei [69]. From the study, it was found that C. krusei is more sensitive to the chicory ethanol extract compared to C. glabrata, as C. krusei growth was inhibited at a low concentration of 50 µg/mL, whereas growth of C. glabrata was inhibited at a concentration of 100 µg/mL.…”

“…From the study, it was found that C. krusei is more sensitive to the chicory ethanol extract compared to C. glabrata, as C. krusei growth was inhibited at a low concentration of 50 µg/mL, whereas growth of C. glabrata was inhibited at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The anti-fungal activity of chicory leaves extract is due to the presence of compounds such as lactucin, lactucopicrin, deoxylactucin, and β-1,3-dihydrolactucin [69,104]. A similar study was conducted on both the Candida sp., and similar results were recorded [68].…”

Novel Biodegradable Starch Film for Food Packaging with Antimicrobial Chicory Root Extract and Phytic Acid as a Cross-Linking Agent

“…[43], chicory root extracts showed higher inhibitory effects on B. subtilis, S. aureus, and S. typhi than Micrococcus luteus and E. coli [51]. Eslami et al [52] and Badakhasann et al [53] reported that chicory extract had antifungal activity against Candida glabrata and Candida krusei, and due to its low cost, availability, and proper taste, may be an alternative to nystatin.…”