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Abstract
C. albicans remains a major opportunistic pathogen implicated in superficial and systemic infections, often exacerbated by antifungal resistance. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of ethanolic turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) extract and its combination with Lactobacillus bulgaricus secondary metabolites against clinical isolates of C. albicans. Fresh turmeric rhizomes were authenticated and extracted using ethanol, yielding 3.43% dried extract, while secondary metabolites of L. bulgaricus were prepared from probiotic cultures. Standardized clinical isolates of C. albicans (n = 5) were obtained from wound swab, high vaginal swab (HVS), ear swab, catheter tip, and urine samples collected at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) assays. Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square, ANOVA, and independentsamples t-test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results revealed that ethanolic turmeric extract inhibited C. albicans growth in a concentration-dependent manner, with 40.0% inhibition at 25mg/0.25mL and 60.0% inhibition at both 50mg/mL and 100mg/0.25mL (p < 0.05). Combination with Lactobacillus metabolites enhanced inhibition to 60.0% at 25mg/0.25mL and 80.0% at both 50mg/0.25mL and 100mg/0.25mL, though overall differences between extract alone and the combination were not statistically significant (p = 0.749). Fungicidal activity was more at higher doses, with ethanolic extract achieving 100.0% inhibition at 200mg/0.25mL, while the combination exhibited earlier fungicidal effects, reaching 100.0% inhibition at 100mg/0.25mL. Isolate source influenced susceptibility, with High vaginal swab isolate showing highest sensitivity (MIC: 75.0%), while urine isolates were most resistant (MIC: 0.0%) (p = 0.044). These findings demonstrate that ethanolic turmeric extract possesses antifungal activity against C. albicans, which is further enhanced when combined with L. bulgaricus secondary metabolites. The dose-dependent inhibition observed suggests potential synergistic effects, though statistical comparisons did not reveal significant superiority of the combination over the extract alone. This highlights the therapeutic promise of plant–probiotic synergy as a natural alternative to conventional antifungals in the management of candidiasis. Further in vivo studies and mechanistic investigations are recommended to optimize dosage and evaluate clinical applicability.
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