In Vitro Effect of Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract on Growth and Ergosterol Biosynthesis in Clinical Candida Isolates

The rhizome (ischolar_main) of turmeric (Curcuma longa) has long been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat various human body disorders. Laboratory and animal research have demonstrated enormous biological properties of Curcuma longa. Here we have carried out the phytochemical analysis and anticandidal examination of the ethanolic rhizome extract of this plant. Phytochemical analysis of the test extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, amino acids, cardiac glycosides and diterpenes. In GC-MS analysis, the major compound found was aromatic (ar-) tumerone (32.73%). Antifungal activity of the test extract was investigated against 10 fluconazole-resistant and 5 fluconazole-sensitive Candida strains. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC90) ranged from 1000 to 2200 μg/ml for both sensitive and resistant strains. Ergosterol content was drastically reduced by the test extract (MIC90), 65% in clinical-sensitive and 71% in clinical-resistant strains. The drop in sterol content correlated well with MIC90 values. It appears that the test extract acts in a dose-dependent fashion to decrease the ergosterol content in test extract treated samples. Cellular toxicity of this extract against H9c2 rat cardiac myoblasts was less than 12% at the highest MIC value. These findings encourage further development of ethanolic rhizome extract of Curcuma longa.