A transmission electron microscopy study of the diversity of Candida albicans cells induced by Euphorbia hirta L. leaf extract in vitro.
- Author:
Abu Arra BASMA
1
;
Zakaria ZURAINI
;
Sreenivasan SASIDHARAN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Anticandidal agent; Candida albicans; Euphorbia hirta L.; Transmission electron microscopy
- MeSH: Candida albicans; cytology; drug effects; Euphorbia; chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Plant Extracts; chemistry; pharmacology; Plant Leaves; chemistry
- From:Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2011;1(1):20-22
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo determine the major changes in the microstructure of Candida albicans (C. albicans) after treatment with Euphorbia hirta (E. hirta) L. leaf extract.
METHODSTransmission electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructural changes caused by E. hirta extract on C. albicans cells at various exposure time.
RESULTSIt was found that the main abnormalities were the alterations in morphology, lysis and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 h of exposure to the extract. Whereas the control cultures showed a typical morphology of Candida with a uniform central density, typically structured nucleus, and a cytoplasm with several elements of endomembrane system and enveloped by a regular, intact cell wall.
CONCLUSIONSThe significant antifungal activity shown by this methanol extract of E. hirta L. suggests its potential against infections caused by C. albicans. The extract may be developed as an anticandidal agent.
