Korean J Med Mycol.  2006 Mar;11(1):19-26.

Antifungal Activity of the Extract from Paeonia japonica against Candida albicans

• Seong I

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is one of the normal flora of the skin, mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Vaginal candidiasis remains a significant problem in women of childbearing age, majority of the cases are caused by C. albicans and recurrence is common in spite of topical treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to develop the antifungal agent from the medicinal herbs traditionally used in Korea.
METHODS
In this study, extracts from roots of Paeonia japonica were examined for antifungal activities against C. albicans. Dried roots of Paeonia japonica were extracted with dichloromethane, methanol, water respectively and serially. Liquid column chromatography and thin layer chromatography were used to separate the fractions with antifungal activity, and mass spectrometric analysis was done to determine the mass.
RESULTS
Dichloromethane extract showed the highest antifungal activity aginst C. albicans. Result of fractionation and mass spectrometric analysis revealed that there were six materials: propanal, cytidine, hexadecanoic acid, cholesterol, octadecanoic acid and a unidentified material.
CONCLUSION
Dichloromethane extract from Paeonia japonica could be a candidate for a new antifungal agent against C. albicans.

Keyword

Paeonia japonica; Dichloromethane extract; Antifungal activity; Candida albicans

MeSH Terms

Candida albicans*
Candida*
Candidiasis
Cholesterol
Chromatography
Chromatography, Thin Layer
Cytidine
Female
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Korea
Methanol
Methylene Chloride
Mucous Membrane
Paeonia*
Palmitic Acid
Plants, Medicinal
Recurrence
Skin
Water
Cholesterol
Cytidine
Methanol
Methylene Chloride
Palmitic Acid
Water