Candida albicans in summer: hibiscus helps us!
Candida albicans is a saprophytic fungus, specifically a yeast, that is part of our body physiologically and that we find as a component of the oral, gastrointestinal and vaginal microbiota. In some cases, however, C. albicans transforms into a pathogenic organism: this is the case of subjects who abuse antibiotics, immunocompromised subjects, but also of seasonal changes. It is no coincidence that most women experience infections from C. albicans during the summer months. In fact, the hot and humid climate causes a lowering of the immune defenses and favors the stagnation of vaginal secretions. In addition to this, there are incorrect behaviors such as keeping a wet swimsuit for a long time, sitting on the sand without using a towel, or using panty liners and internal sanitary towels for a long time. In all these cases, C. albicans proliferates by forming hyphae, which help it penetrate host tissues and grow invasively, leading in some cases to the establishment of a systemic infection. In addition to the formation of hyphae, C. albicans acquires pathogenic traits by biofilm formation, a complex multicellular process, the prerequisite of which is the adhesion of C. albicans cells to host materials or cells, which subsequently lead to cell-cell interactions in the hierarchical organization of cells within the formed biofilm.
Help to combat C. albicans infection comes from nature and more precisely from a plant called Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hs). This plant shows antibacterial, antioxidant, diuretic, anti-cholesterol, anti-diabetic and other properties. A study has shown how the extract of Hs is able to prevent the formation of hyphae and biofilm of C. albicans and therefore reduce the onset of infections.
In the study, two types of cultures were created, one with C. albicans alone (control) and one with C. albicans with Hs extract. It was observed that hyphae formation on the plates with Hs extract was significantly lower than on the control plates after 7 days and 14 days of incubation. Based on these observations, it was concluded that the presence of Hs extract effectively inhibits the initiation of hyphae, which subsequently lead to biofilm formation. Next, it was tested whether Hs extract could interrupt the proliferation of the preformed biofilm. It was observed that not only did Hs extract interrupt the proliferation of the biofilm, but it was able to cause a significant reduction in the biofilm over time.
Various levels of minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract were observed against all isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration values ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 mg/mL. The experiment also demonstrated a fungistatic-type effect of Hs.
It is therefore clear how the use of products containing Hs extract could be useful in combating seasonal candidiasis, especially when they also contain other active ingredients with antiseptic and antifungal action, such as the Symguard® CD complex which is an effective antioxidant and deodorant against bad odors caused by biofilms.
Dwivedi M, Muralidhar S, Saluja D. Hibiscus sabdariffa Extract Inhibits Adhesion, Biofilm Initiation and Formation in Candida albicans. Indian J Microbiol. 2020 Mar;60(1):96-106. doi: 10.1007/s12088-019-00835-9. Epub 2019 Nov 4. PMID: 32089579; PMCID: PMC7000594.