In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of Cassia surattensis flower against Aspergillus niger

Microb Pathog. 2014 Dec:77:7-12. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2014.10.004. Epub 2014 Oct 13.

Abstract

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised host is a major infectious disease leading to reduce the survival rate of world population. Aspergillus niger is a causative agent causing IA. Cassia surattensis plant is commonly used in rural areas to treat various types of disease. C. surattensis flower extract was evaluated against the systemic aspergillosis model in this study. Qualitative measurement of fungal burden suggested a reduction pattern in the colony forming unit (CFU) of lung, liver, spleen and kidney for the extract treated group. Galactomannan assay assessment showed a decrease of fungal load in the treatment and positive control group with galactomannan index (GMI) value of 1.27 and 0.25 on day 28 but the negative control group showed high level of galactomannan in the serum with GMI value of 3.58. Histopathology examinations of the tissues featured major architecture modifications in the tissues of negative control group. Tissue reparation and recovery from infection were detected in extract treated and positive control group. Time killing fungicidal study of A. niger revealed dependence of the concentration of C. surattensis flower extract.

Keywords: Aspergillus niger; Cassia surattensis; Galactomannan; Invasive aspergillosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Structures / microbiology
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aspergillus niger / drug effects*
  • Cassia / chemistry*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Galactose / analogs & derivatives
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / drug therapy*
  • Mannans / blood
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Mannans
  • Plant Extracts
  • galactomannan
  • Galactose