In vitro-scientific evaluation on anti-Candida albicans activity, antioxidant properties, and phytochemical constituents with the identification of antifungal active fraction from traditional medicinal plant Couroupita guianensis Aubl. Flower

Background: Couroupita guianensis Aubl. has many therapeutic uses in the practice of traditional medicine. Objective: The current research was conducted to evaluate the anti-Candida albicans activity, antioxidant properties, and phytochemical constituents with the identification of antifungal active fraction from C. guianensis flower. Methods: Anticandidal, antioxidant activities, and determination of total phenolic contents (TPCs) of C. guianensis flower extract were carried out. Identification of antifungal active fraction was done by using solvent partitioning technique. Results: The extract inhibited C. albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 12.5 mg/ml. Time-kill assay suggested that C. guianensis flower extract had completely inhibited C. albicans growth and also exhibited prolonged antiyeast activity. The alterations in morphology and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 hours of exposure to the extract were observed through microscopic observations. Ethyl acetate fraction was considered as an active fraction on the basis of zone of inhibition by solvent partitioning technique. Phytochemical analysis of the extract showed the presence of major classes of phytochemicals alkaloids, phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, steroids, glycosides, and saponin. The extract exhibits antioxidant activity with an Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) value of 93.2 +/- 0.011 mu g/ml in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay and 46.48 +/- 0.13 mu g/ml in the Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (HPSA) assay with TPCs of 32.2 +/- 0.22 mg of gallic acid equivalents/100 g of extract. Conclusions: The extract of C. guianensis flower with good anticandidal and antioxidant activities could be an effective agent to treat the Candida albicans infection.