Antifungal effect of Crescentia cujete fruit extracts on clinical strains of Candida albicans

Abstract

Introduction: Candidiasis is a widespread fungal infection ranging from superficial to severe and potentially life-threatening. Objective: To evaluate the antifungal effects of ethanol and N-hexane extracts from Crescentia cujete fruit on Candida albicans strains. Method: Crescentia cujete fruit pulp was dried and extracted using ethanol and N-hexane with Soxhlet extraction. Two reference strains of C. albicans (ATCC 10231 and 90028) and 12 clinical isolates from vaginal smears were cultured under different conditions: without extract, with serial dilutions of the ethanolic or N-hexane extract, and with ethanol and N-hexane at equivalent concentrations. Growth was measured by absorbance using MicroELISA equipment. Results: The N-hexane extract significantly reduced the growth of 9/12 clinical strains, while the ethanolic extract reduced 4/12. Both extracts were effective against the ATCC 90028 and ATCC 10231 strains. A direct correlation was found between growth inhibition and extract concentration, with N-hexane showing a more potent effect (Spearman's Rho=0.61, p-value <0.05) compared to the ethanolic extract (Spearman’s Rho=0.39, p-value<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the antifungal effects of Crescentia cujete extracts on Candida albicans, including strains resistant to common antifungals