Abstract

Infections caused by Candida species have become a serious problem threatening global health systems today. This situation reveals the need to investigate new antifungal agents that can be alternatives to current treatment approaches, which are safer, more accessible and more effective. In this context, the potential anti-Candida effect of vitexin, a natural compound belonging to the flavonoid family, on different Candida species under in vitro conditions, and experimental methods, reveals the levels of its impact against different Candida species. In this study, vitexin's minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Candida species were determined using dilution methods. The activity of vitexin against Candida glabrata (ATCC 90030), Candida parapsilosis (ATCC 22019), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 13803), Candida krusei (ATCC 14243), and Candida albicans (ATCC 14053) taken from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) was measured. According to broth microdilution results, the MIC value of vitexin was determined as 12 mg/mL against C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. albicans, and 24 mg/mL against C. krusei and C. parapsilosis. According to the results of the agar dilution method, the MIC value was found to be 24 mg/mL for all Candida species. When the results of agar dilution and broth microdilution methods were compared, slight differences were observed in the MIC values of vitexin against Candida species. The data obtained from the study indicate that vitexin may be evaluated as a potential agent for treating various Candida infections. Thus, it is thought that the anti-Candida effect of vitexin can form a scientific basis for more comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies to be conducted in the future.

Key words: Anti-Candida effect, flavonoid, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), vitexin