Anti-Candida albicans biofilm activity of extracts from two selected indigenous Algerian plants. Clematis flammula and Fraxinus angustifolia

Candida albicans biofilm is associated with high rates of morbidity and resistance to antifungals. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-Candida albicans biofilm activity of some indigenous Algerian medicinal plant extracts: Clematis flammula and Fraxinus angustifolia and their influence on the virulence factors of C. albicans. The anti-biofilm activity was determined using crystal violet assay while the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) was estimated in a water-hydrocarbon two-phase assay. Moreover, germ tube formation and hyphae elongation were assessed microscopically. F. angustifolia leaves and bark, as well as C. flammula leaves extracts (500 μg/mL) showed an inhibition of biofilm formation of 62.41 ± 3.88, 54.83 ± 0.98 and 36.78 ± 1.09%, respectively, probably related to a disruption of CSH, germ tube and hyphae formation of C. albicans ATCC 10231 (p<0.001). Phytochemical analysis revealed that the plant extracts were a rich source of phenolic compounds with the highest content found in F. angustifolia leaves (173.05 ± 0.15 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract), which could explain its highest efficiency against biofilm activity. Considering the results obtained, it can be concluded that the plants tested could be a promising source of drugs against muco-cutaneous infections caused by C. albicans biofilm