Efficacy of CIM 1166, a combination of compounds derived from Mentha spp. in alleviating experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis in mice

• Published in: World journal of microbiology & biotechnology 2009, Vol.25 (1), p.161-163
• Main Authors: Dhawan, Sangeeta, Pal, Anirban, Ancha, Radhika, Bawankule, Dnyaneshwar Umrao, Yadav, Narayan Prasad, Darokar, Mahendra Pandurang, Khanuja, Suman Preet Singh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Applied Microbiology; Bacteria; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Candida; Candida albicans; Computer integrated manufacturing; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Forming; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungi; Infections; Life Sciences; Medical research; Mentha; Mice; Microbiology; Patients; Short Communication; Vagina; Washing; Yeasts
• ISSN: 0959-3993; 1573-0972
• DOI: 10.1007/s11274-008-9871-7

Candida albicans is yeast that is most often associated with serious fungal infections and can cause fungal diseases in immuno-compromised patients especially patients suffering from AIDS, cancer and cases of organ transplant. Amongst women, candidal vaginitis is predominantly caused by strains of Candida albicans and also remains to be a common problem in immuno-competent or healthy women. A study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a compound CIM 1166 obtained from plant source which was found to possess promising antimicrobial property under in vitro conditions especially against C. albicans. Taking the lead further, a small animal model utilizing aged Swiss albino females that had parturated at least three times were taken up for model development. Infection (7 x 10⁶ cfu/ml) was instilled into the vagina in a volume of 20 μl for 3 days. Vaginal washings were aseptically collected on day 4th to confirm the establishment of infection following which the treatment was started which continued for the next 5 days through vaginal route. Vaginal washings were collected on 6th day and the colony forming units were enumerated on chloramphenicol incorporated SDA plates. The results indicated that there was a significant decrease in the colony forming units in vaginal washings (8.0 x 10² cfu/ml) of the treated animals as compared to blank control group (6.0 x 10⁴ cfu/ml). The positive control group administered with clotrimazole also showed a recovery from infection with a fungal load of 8.78 x 10² cfu/ml. The study proves the efficacy of CIM 1166 in curing vaginal candidiasis in mice, which can be taken up for formulation development and further studies.