Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

Candida albicans is a major pathogen causing biofilm formation and infections in the oral cavity. Alternative treatments using natural ingredients like Moringa oleifera and Ziziphus mauritiana with known antifungal activity are needed to address these infections. This study evaluates the tolerance response of M. oleifera and Z. mauritiana L to changes in C. albicans cell metabolism. The assessment includes growth inhibition, hydrophobicity by spectrophotometry, metabolite activity by MTT assay, phospholipase by precipitation test, and nucleic acid deformation and phospholipid content by FTIR. Results show significant inhibition of C. albicans growth at the highest concentration (400μg/mL), with M. oleifera displaying more potent inhibition than Z. mauritiana across all parameters. At 400μg/mL, M. oleifera inhibits phospholipase activity by 70%, close to the positive control (75%), while Z. mauritiana reaches 65%. FTIR analysis reveals significant nucleic acid deformation, indicating cellular damage. Furthermore, M. oleifera inhibits phospholipid release by 70%, compared to 65% for Z. mauritiana L, close to Fluconazole’s effectiveness (75%). In the hydrophobicity test, M. oleifera shows a 60% inhibition of C. albicans cell hydrophobicity, higher than Z. mauritiana L (58%). These findings suggest both extracts hold antifungal potential, with M. oleifera demonstrating more potent inhibitory activity on various aspects of C. albicans metabolism.