European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ANALYSIS ON VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS AND ITS REMEDIAL MEASURES USING INDIGENOUS HERBALS

B. Asha Nancy, K. Elumalai* and P. Sivamani

ABSTRACT

A vaginal discharge is one of the most common gynaecological symptoms affecting women and a very common cause for seeking medical attention. Many pathogens and opportunistic pathogenic agents are increasingly encountered in vaginal discharge. Most vaginal symptoms are caused by one of three types of vulvovaginitis: One among them is Candida vulvovaginitis. Other, less common aetiologies are also encountered. In this study fungi isolated from vaginal discharge cases were tested for their sensitivity to essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon martinii, Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha piperita and Pelargonium graveolens, In agar well diffusion method the selected essential oils were effective against all yeast like fungi i.e., Candida, comparable to the standard reference antifungal Amphotericin B. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. citratus and C.martinii were effective but to the least level, when compared with the reference drug. The MIC of R.officinalis was variable from more effective to least effective against different test organisms. The MIC of M. piperita was effective but to the least level (1000 g/ml), when compared with the reference drug. The MIC of P.graveolens, was effective but to the least level, when compared with the reference drug. The results for minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were similar to MIC results, but in MBC confirmation was made by the absence of visible growth in culture media. The antifungal activity is attributed to the components of essential oils, which mostly interferes with the cell membrane structure and function. According to the results of this study, the essential oil or their ethanol extract of those essential oils may be suggested as a new potential source of natural antimicrobial for the prevention, treatment and control of fungal diseases in various patients, particularly, for Candida vulvovaginitis patients.

Keywords: Vaginal Candidiasis, leucorrhoea, Candida albicans, Antifungal activity, Herbal treatment.