Abstract

Introduction: Today, people around the world have resorted to herbal medicine, due to the increase in antibiotic resistance and the side effects of synthetic drugs.

Methods: Our research focused on the in vivo antifungal activity of three ointments formulated on the basis of methanolic extract of Citrus aurantium peel, ethanolic extract of the aerial part of Artemisia herba alba asso, and essential oil of Artemisia herba alba asso. Wistar rats were made immunosuppressed by Dexamethazone and Tetracycline. Three strains of Candida albicans, S1, S2 and S3 were inoculated. The fungal load of the area tested, the weight of the rats, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the skins, were determined.

Results: Cutaneous candidiasis was manifested as red, thick, scabbed lesions, mostly located on the infected area of t he animals. Microscopic observation of histological skin sections of animals infected and treated with the ointments, P1, P2 and P3 showed a well-preserved architecture of the skin. Erythema, edema, ulceration, erosion were seen in the skin of animals receiving placebo or Nystatin. The P3 ointment exerted a very powerful antifungal effect against especially the strain S1 compared to the other ointments (log 3.07±0.006 CFU/ml). The weight was regained significantly in the groups of animals receiving the ointments, and regression of growth was observed in the untreated animals and those treated by Nystatin and placebo.

Conclusion: The EAH and MCP ointment and the essential oil of Artemisia developed, allowed to retain their significant antifungal activity against Candida.

Keywords: Artémisia herba alba asso, Citrus aurantium, ointment, Candida albicans, in vivo, antifungal activity.

Graphical Abstract