Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Moringa oleifera and Ziziphus abyssinica Root Extracts against Candida albicans

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of antifungal resistance in Candida albicans the primary agent of candidiasis, necessitates the discovery of new therapeutic agents. Medicinal plants like Moringa oleifera and Ziziphus abyssinica are promising sources of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of M. oleifera and Z. abyssinica root extracts against C. albicans, determine their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and analyze their phytochemical constituents. Root powders were extracted using aqueous, ethanol, and n-hexane solvents. Antifungal activity was assessed via the agar well diffusion method at concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml. The MIC was determined using the tube dilution method. Phytochemical analysis was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). All extracts exhibited dose-dependent antifungal activity. The ethanol extracts showed the highest efficacy, with zones of inhibition up to 14 mm for M. oleifera and 16 mm for Z. abyssinica at 100 mg/ml, a result comparable to the Fluconazole control (16 mm). The MIC for the most effective extracts was 75 mg/ml. GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive compounds, including beta-Sitosterol (42.72%) and Valerenol (15.16%) in Z. abyssinica and a predominant pentacyclic compound (42.87%) and 16-Pregnenolone (13.97%) in M. oleifera. The root extracts of M. oleifera and Z. abyssinica, particularly their ethanol fractions, possess significant antifungal properties against C. albicans, with efficacy rivaling a standard drug. These findings validate their traditional use and suggest their potential as sources for developing new antifungal drugs to combat resistant candidiasis.