Susceptibility testing of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata to Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Martins, N (Author) Other; Sofia Costa de Oliveira (Author) FMUP; Melo, LDR (Author) Other; Ferreira, ICFR (Author) Other; Azeredo, J (Author) Other; Henriques, M (Author) Other; Silva, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Industrial Crops and Products

Vol. 108

Pages: 480-484

ISSN: 0926-6690

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-4G7

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.07.008

Abstract (EN): Medicinal plants and their botanical formulations have gained a pivotal attention among scientific researchers mainly due to its action as health promoters. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) constitutes a great example, with an increasingly evidenced antimicrobial potential. Opportunistic yeast infections constitute an alarming public health problem, highly exacerbated by the inefficacy of antifungal drugs and the increase of drug-resistant microorganisms, being Candida species one of the most common invaders. The present work aims to assess Candida glabrata and Candida albicans susceptibility to G. glabra methanol: water extract by using flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy techniques. After 5 min, licorice extract (1.5 mg/mL) altered Candida membrane potential. Within an hour, it induced primary damages on Candida species cells, causing cell cytoplasm disorganization with high evidence of cell membrane invaginations, making cells turgid. Thus, based on the current findings, licorice extract seems to be a promising anti-Candida agent, without presenting any toxic potential at the effective concentrations used.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5