Positive Health Online

Abstract

FLICKER and colleagues, Biology Department, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, report on the inhibition of human pathogenic fungi by ethnobotanically selected plant extracts.

Background

Many fungi that cause pathology in humans are becoming resistant to the commonly used fungicidal agents, amphotericin B and ketoconazole. The screening of plants for antifungal activity can provide a solution to this problem, at least for a while.

Methodology

36 extracts derived from 29 plant species selected using an ethnobotanical approach were tested for antifungal activity against 13 human pathogenic fungi and compared to the activities of amphotericin B and ketoconazole, and the plant-derived antifungal, berberine.

Results

Several plant extracts showed antifungal activity. The most powerful ones were extracts of ginger and butternut (Juglans cinerea) that displayed antifungal activity against a wide variety of fungi some of which were highly resistant to amphotericin B and ketoconazole.

Conclusion

Further exploration of Zingiber officinale, or ginger, as an antifungal agent is warranted, especially as this plant is generally regarded as safe for human consumption.

References

Ficker CE, Arnason JT, Vindas PS, Alvarez LP, Akpagana K, Gbeassor M, de Souza C, Smith ML. Inhibition of human pathogenic fungi by ethnobotanically selected plant extracts. Mycoses 46 (1-2): 29-37, Feb 2003.