In vitro evaluation of antifungal property of ethanolic extract of Syzygium aqueum fruit in leucorrhoea using zone of inhibition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20254150Keywords:
Antifungal, Ethanolic extract, Leucorrhoea, Syzygium aqueum, Zone of inhibitionAbstract
Background: Leucorrhoea, characterized by abnormal vaginal discharge, is commonly associated with Candida albicans infection. Conventional antifungal agents face resistance, creating the need for plant-based alternatives. Syzygium aqueum (water apple) is known to possess antimicrobial activity.
Methods: Ethanolic extract of Syzygium aqueum fruit was prepared by cold maceration. Antifungal activity was evaluated against Candida albicans using agar well diffusion on potato dextrose agar medium. Extract concentrations (10, 5, 2.5, 1.25 mg/ml) were tested. DMSO served as negative control, and ketoconazole (50 mg/ml) as positive control. Zones of inhibition were measured after incubation at 37°C for 24 hours.
Results: Extract exhibited concentration-dependent antifungal activity with maximum inhibition zone of 20 mm at 10 mg/ml, while ketoconazole showed 31 mm inhibition.
Conclusions: Syzygium aqueum demonstrated moderate antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans, supporting its potential as a natural antifungal option in leucorrhoea management.
Metrics
References
Ramage G, Saville SP, Thomas DP, López-Ribot JL. Candida biofilms: an update. Eukaryot Cell. 2005;4(4):633-8.
Cowan MM. Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1999;12(4):564-82.
Fruka T, Esmaio M, Khazzam F, Gharbia S. The assessment of the antifungal effects of chamomile and lavender extracts on Candida albicans. AlQalam J Med Appl Sci. 2025:935-41.
Hajizadeh K, Alivand Z, Rahmani V, Mehrannia L, Nami S, Shokouhi B, et al. Comparing the effects of mycozin and clotrimazole 1% creams on vaginal candidiasis: a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):2356.
CLSI. M44 Method for Antifungal Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Testing of Yeasts. Available from: https://clsi.org/shop/standards/m44/. Accessed on 16 October 2025.
Adelakun A, Awosika A, Adabanya U, Omole A, Olopoda A, Bello E. Antimicrobial and synergistic effects of Syzygium cumini, Moringa oleifera, and Tinospora cordifolia against different candida infections. Cureus. 2024;16(1):e52857.
Aisy DU, Adawiyah R, Rozaliyani A, Estuningtyas A, Fadilah F. The antifungal activities of Syzygium aromaticum and Alpinia purpurata extracts against Candida krusei: bioactivity tests, molecular modeling, and toxicity tests. Asian Pac J Cancer Prevent. 2023;24(10):3403.
Ban MA, Ibrahim OM. Effect of Syzygium aromaticum L. essential oil extract against pathogenic Candida albicans in-vitro. Iraqi J Agricult Sci. 2024;55(6):2177-85.
More YD, Gade RM, Shitole AV. In vitro Antifungal activity of Aegle marmelos, Syzygium cumini and Pongamia pinnata extracts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cicero. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2017;79(3).
Mansourian A, Boojarpour N, Ashnagar S, Momen Beitollahi J, Shamshiri AR. The comparative study of antifungal activity of Syzygium aromaticum, Punica granatum and nystatin on Candida albicans: an in vitro study. J Mycol Medicale. 2014;24(4):e163-8.
Dalabehera M, Rathore C, Rathee A, Lal UR. From plants to particles: herbal solutions and nanotechnology combating resistant vulvovaginal candidiasis. Ther Deliv. 2024;15(5):371-92.
Hou GW, Huang T. Essential oils as promising treatments for treating Candida albicans infections: research progress, mechanisms, and clinical applications. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1400105.
Fernandes PA de S, Pereira RLS, dos Santos ATL, Coutinho HDM, Morais-Braga MFB, da Silva VB, et al. Phytochemical analysis, antibacterial activity and modulating effect of essential oil from Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. Molecules. 2022;27(10):3281.
Sobel JD. Resistance to fluconazole of Candida albicans in vaginal isolates: a 10-year study in a clinical referral center. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2023;67(5):e0018123.
Balouiri M, Sadiki M, Ibnsouda SK. Methods for in vitro evaluating antimicrobial activity: a review. J Pharm Anal. 2016;6(2):71-9.