REVISITING A SOUTHERN ITALIAN TRADITIONAL PRACTICE: IN VITRO ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY ASSAY BY SOME PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST CANDIDA ALBICANS. PRELIMINARY DATA REPORT

Candida species represent the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide. In this study, we have evaluated the antifungal activity of plant aqueous extracts against a standard strain of Candida albicans, to assess a widespread practice in their allegedly healing use in southern Italian tradition. The tested plants were: pomegranate (Punica granatum), rue (Ruta graveolens), walnut (Juglans regia), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), garlic (Allium sativum). Results showed a potential antifungal and anti biofilm-forming activity in the pomegranate (fruit peels extract). This study is a preliminary antifungal activity data report and further evaluations are needed to obtain more definite information and to eventually allow the development of plants-derived new potential antifungal drugs