Antifungal Activity of Commiphora myrrha (Murr) against Candida species Isolated from Vaginal Candidiasis of pregnant women in Khartoum State

Abstract

Microbial infections of the vagina among pregnant women are serious problems that lead patients to seek medical care. The aim of this study was to detect the antifungal activity of Commiphora myrrha (Murr) on Candida species clinical isolated from vaginal candidiasis among pregnant women. Ninety vaginal swabs were collected from pregnant women with symptoms of vaginal candidiasis, attended Al-Saudi and Al-Shaikh Fadol Maternity Hospital, during the period from March to June 2014. From this study it was found that vaginal candidiasis has high frequency in pregnant women of age 25-34 years group in third trimester of gestation. Candida albicans was the major isolate in both diabetic and non diabetic women, and no significant association (p =0.233) was found between history of abortion and the presence of vaginal candidiasis in the studied group. The study included antifungal activity of the different concentrations in methanol, petroleum ether and volatile oil extracts of the Commiphora myrrha using the agar dilution method and broth microdilution methods. The methanol, petroleum ether and volatile oil extracts of the Commiphora myrrha were screened for their antifungal activity against standard Candida albicans ATCC 7596. These extracts were also screened against 4 clinical isolates of Candida species (Candida albicans, C.parapsilosis, C. guilliermondii and C.glabrata ). Methanol, petroleum ether and volatile oil extracts of the Commiphora myrrha exhibited high activity against Candida albicans, C.parapsilosis, C. guilliermondii and C.glabrata. The antifungal activity of three reference drugs: Itraconazole, Fluconazole and ketoconazole were determined against the standard and clinical isolated fungi and their activity was compared to the activity of plant extracts. Itraconazole and Ketoconazole were found effective against Candida albicans (clinical isolate and standard), while all isolates and standard of Candida species were found resistant to Fluconazole Gas chromatography analysis exhibited 10 compounds of Commiphora myrrha and also compounds are identified qualitatively by the Retention time, and quantitatively by the area under the curve.