Comparison of the Effects of Juglans nigra Green Husk and Clotrimazole on Candida albicans in Rats

Background: Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is known to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects in vitro. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of extracts derived from green-husked walnut with clotrimazole against Candida albicans in female rats. Methods: In this study, 35 female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups. A total of 4 groups of rats were infected vaginally with C. albicans and 1 group was not infected (negative control). The 4 infected groups received the following treatments: 2 groups received vaginal creams containing 2% or 4% of J. nigra extracts, respectively, 1 group received 1% clotrimazole, and 1 group did not receive any treatment (positive control). All rats received treatments for 2 weeks. Results: The mean number of colony forming unit (CFUs) before intervention was 308.2 +/- 8.73 and 219 +/- 13.4 in the 2% and 4% J. nigra group, 312.7 +/- 28.32 in the clotrimazole group, 233.85 +/- 8.15 in the positive control, and 0 in the negative control group (P < 0.001). After 1 week, the number of CFUs significantly decreased to 71.1 +/- 3.9 in the 2% J. nigra, 0 in both 4% J. nigra and clotrimazole groups, 230.7 +/- 9.86 in the positive control, and 0 in the negative control group (P < 0.001). After 2 weeks, no CFUs were detected in any of the infected groups except for the positive control group. Conclusions: Vaginal creams containing 4% J. nigra significantly eliminated C. albicans in female rats after 1 week and its effect was similar to that of clotrimazole.