Awatif Al-Judaibi
L'OREAL Research & Innovation, France
Title: Biochemical and molecular activities of Candida albicans treated with medicinal plants
Biography
Biography: Awatif Al-Judaibi
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of Phoenix dactylifera and Ziziphus spina-christi ethanol extracts in
terms of their biochemical and molecular eff ects on Candida albicans. Th ese eff ects were evaluated with regard to intracellular
sterols, permeability of the cell membranes, and morphological characteristics determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) analyses were also conducted in addition to assessment of the changes in TEF1:
QRTTEF1, CaERG1: ERG1, CdERG12: CdERG1, and ERG25: ERG25 genes. Th e results showed that sterols increased by 1.096% and
0.588% with treatment by P. dactylifera and Z. spina-christi, respectively, compared to the untreated cells. Th e ethanol extracts were
eff ective on C. albicans permeability by reducing the cell membranes permeability. Th e SEM and EDAX analyses showed cell cavities
and shrinkage of the cell wall. In addition, the quantity of cells was decreased to a few abnormal cells compared to the untreated
cells. Yttrium was detected in the cells treated with Z. spina-christi, and high levels of osmium were detected in the cells treated
with P. dactylifera. Th e gene sequence showed gaps and mismatches on ERG1F, ERG1R, ERG12F, ERG12R, and ERG25F genes aft er
treatment with P. dactylifera and Z. spina-christi compared to untreated cells. Th e results were highly signifi cant (p≤0.01), and we
concluded that ethanol extracts of P. dactylifera and Z. spina-christi have an antimicrobial eff ect on several targets in yeast cells.