Planta Med 2011; 77 - PM27
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282785

Antifungal activity of the extract of Alpinia officinarum Hance rhizomes on Candida albicans

K Klahan 1, N Nantapong 1, N Chudapongse 1
  • 1School of Biology, Institution of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000 Thailand

Alpinia officinarum Hance, known as lesser galangal, is a pungent and aromatic plant which is used as spice for flavoring food throughout Asian countries [1]. This plant has also been used as traditional medicine for several purposes such as relieving stomachache and pain, treating colds, invigorating the circulatory system, and reducing inflammation and swelling [2]. Candida albicans is a major causative microbe associated with fungal infection, especially in patients with endocrine disorders, immunosuppression, malignant disorders and AIDS [3]. Nowadays, choices of antifungal against candidiasis are quite limited due to drug toxicity and resistance. The crude extract of the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum has been shown to possess antibacterial activity [4], however, antifungal activity of this plant has not been reported. In the present study, we found that lesser galangal exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) value were 1.2mg/ml and 2.0mg/ml, respectively. The assessment of cell damage produced by the crude extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizomes was conducted through scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation. SEM analysis showed that the extract induced deformation of Candida albicans. The treated cells had coarse surface and changed from oval to rounder shape. The result suggested that the extract damaged cell wall, causing Candida albicans to form spheroplast. This postulated mechanism may contribute to the antifungal activity of the crude extract of the Alpinia officinarum rhizomes against Candida albicans.

Keywords: Alpinia officinarum Hance, Candida albicans, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimal fungicidal concentration, scanning electron microscope

References: 1. Ly TN et al. (2003)J Agric Food Chem 51: 4924–4929.

2. Lee J et al. (2009)J Ethnopharmacol 126: 258–264.

3. Kumar R et al. (2010) Fungal Biol 114: 189–197.

4. Zhang BB et al. (2010) Fitoterapia 81: 948–952.