Effects of Vernonia cinerea Less methanol extract on growth and morphogenesis of Candida albicans

L. Yoga Latha, I. Darah, K. Jain*, S. Sasidharan**

School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang (Malaysia); *School of Chemical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang (Malaysia); **Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), University Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang (Malaysia)

---

• Pharmacology

Background and Objectives: Vernonia (V.) cinerea Less (Asteraceae) have many therapeutic uses in the practice of traditional medicine. The methanol extract of V. cinerea, was screened for antiyeast activity against pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.

Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activities were studied by using disc diffusion method and broth dilution method. The effect of the extract on the growth profile of the yeast was also examined via time-kill assay. In addition to the fungicidal effects study, microscopic observations using Scanning (SEM) electron microscopy, Transmission (TEM) electron microscopy and light microscopy (LM) were done to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of Candida (C.) albicans.

Results and Discussion: The extract showed a favorable antimicrobial activity against C. albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1.56 mg/mL. Time-kill assay suggested that Vernonia cinerea extract had completely inhibited Candida albicans growth and also exhibited prolonged antiyeast activity. The main abnormalities notes from these microscopic observations were the alterations in morphology and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 h of exposure to the extract.

Conclusion: The extract of Vernonia cinerea may be an effective agent to treat the Candida albicans infection.

Corresponding Author: S. Sasidharan, MD; e-mail: srisasidharan@yahoo.com; and srisasidharan@usm.my

Free PDF Download