Antifungal Activity of Moringa peregrina Plant Extracts Against Candida kruzei

Abstract

Commercial antibacterial drugs commonly used to treat diseases have led to the current drug resistance in humans. Early human civilizations used Moringa peregrina extracts against a variety of illnesses and infections caused by food. M. Peregrina grows well in a variety of harsh conditions, including high temperatures, limited water supply, and nutrient-deficient soils. There is something remarkable about this plant's resilience and ability to survive in challenging environments. To conserve water and withstand extreme drought conditions, it has evolved unique adaptations. M. peregrina's deciduous leaves allow it to shed its leaves during dry periods to reduce water loss through transpiration. As a result of this adaptation, it is able to endure prolonged periods of water scarcity. A serious infection can be caused by Candida kruzei, an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is especially dangerous to immuno-compromised individuals, and the increasing drug-resistance of several Candida strains have necessitated the search for alternative to standard anti-fungal agents to which resistance has grown. The objective of this study was to investigate the antifungal effect of M. peregrina ethanolic extract derived from its leaves, seeds, and roots against C. kruzei. The phytochemical screening of M. peregrina extracts were performed using qualitative determination whilst the antifungal activity of methanol and water extracts of leaves, seeds, and roots was performed using the agar diffusion method. The results of the phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of phenolic compounds, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The studied extracts displayed various degrees of antifungal activities against C. kruzei. The extract of the leaves was active against C. kruzei with recorded minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10mg/ml. There is a need for further research to isolate and identify the antimicrobial agent in different parts of M. peregrina. A deeper investigation should be conducted into the antibacterial agent dosages of these plant parts, which may then be used by the pharmaceutical industry.