In Vitro and In Vivo antifungal activities of selected Cameroonian dietary spices

Abstract

BackgroundSpices and herbs have been used in food since ancient times to give taste and flavor and also as food preservatives and disease remedies. In Cameroon, the use of spices and other aromatic plants as food flavoring is an integral part of dietary behavior, but relatively little is known about their antifungal potential.The present work was designed to assess the antifungal properties of extracts from spices used in Cameroonian dietary.MethodsThe in vitro antifungal activities of twenty three extracts from twenty one spices were assessed by the broth micro-dilution method against eight fungi. Also, the in vivo activity of Olax subscorpioidea extract (the most active extract) was evaluated in rat model of disseminated candidiasis due to Candida albicans by estimating the fungal burden in blood and kidney.ResultsSeven extracts (30%) exhibited moderate to significant antifungal activities, inhibiting the growth of the microorganisms at concentrations ranging from 0.048 to 0.39 mg/mL. Olax subscorpioidea extract exhibited the highest antifungal activity particularly against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis (MIC of 0.097 mg/mL and 0.048 mg/mL respectively). Sixteen extracts (70%) were weakly active (MICs > 6.25 mg/mL). Oral administration of O. subscorpioidea extract at the dose 2 g/kg of body weight (bw) to artificially infected rats revealed a drop in the number of colony forming units per milliliter (cfu/mL) of Candida albicans cells in the blood below the detection limit (100 cfu/mL) while a modest decrease was observed in the kidney.ConclusionThe present work shows that some of the spices studied possess interesting antifungal properties and could be used to treat candidiasis. Among the plant species tested, Olax subscorpioidea displayed the most promising result.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from Aframomum citratum, Aframomum daniellii, Piper capense and Monodora myristica

“…Indeed, essential oils from medicinal spices and vegetables are important sources of antimicrobial agents in addition to their ability to stimulate the digestive system (Rahman et al, 2011). Medicinal spices and vegetables have traditionally been used as food additives, coloring, flavoring and preservative agents as well as antiparasitic, antihelmintic, analgesic, expectorant, sedative, antiseptic and antidiabetic substances in many parts of the world (Rahman et al, 2011;Dzoyem et al, 2014).…”

Traditional herbal remedies and dietary spices from Cameroon as novel sources of larvicides against filariasis mosquitoes?

“…Spices and herbs have been used in African countries since ancient times not only to give taste and flavour to foods but also as food preservatives and to prevent and cure diseases (Dzoyem et al 2014). This aspect has recently attracted the attention of many scientists and encouraged them to conduct screening for biological activities.…”

“…giganteus, belonging to the Asteraceae family, is a branched herb, 60-150 cm tall, with roots that are widely used in the traditional medicine of Cameroon and Nigeria for the treatment of various diseases and illnesses such as heart and gastric troubles, to calm stomach ache, to give carminative help and reduce the effects of alcohol, and reduces asthma attacks (Menut et al 1997;Tene et al 2004). In previous studies, the methanolic extract of this plant has been shown to have antibacterial , antifungal (Dzoyem et al 2014) and antioxidant effects (Abdou et al 2010). The cytotoxicity of crude methanol extract of roots has also been demonstrated Kuete et al 2013).…”

A Review on Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of the Genus <i>Beilschmiedia</i> (Lauraceae)

“…Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have indicated that the Beilschmiedia plant extracts possess a variety of pharmacological aspects with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, antibacterial and antifungal activities [23][24][25][26]. With consideration of the importance of the therapeutic property of this genus to heal various ailments.…”