Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Jujube Honey Effective Against Candida

Manuka is not the only plant that provides therapeutic benefits. Other plants, such as Jujube, are reported to have numerous therapeutic properties, listed in Wikipedia. So, it's not surprising to see some of these qualities transformed by honeybees as they turn nectar into healthy, monofloral honey... 

Effect of Jujube Honey on Candida albicans Growth and Biofilm Formation
Arch MedRes, 2013 Jul 15

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Candida species, especially Candida albicans, are major fungal pathogens of humans that are capable of causing superficial mucosal infections and systemic infections in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the jujube (Zizyphus spina-christi) honey for its in vitro inhibitory activity against pre-formed biofilm and its interference with the biofilm formation of C. albicans.

METHODS:
The XTT reduction assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to determine the inhibitory effect of Jujube honey on C. albicans biofilm. Changes in the infrared spectrum after treatment with honey were also determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

RESULTS:
Jujube honey affects biofilms by decreasing the size of mature biofilms and by disruption of their structure. At a concentration of 40% w/v, it interferes with formation of C. albicans biofilms and disrupts established biofilms. The SEM and AFM results indicated that this type of honey affected the cellular morphology of C. albicans and decreased biofilm thickness.

CONCLUSIONS:
The present findings show that jujube honey has antifungal properties against C. albicans and has the ability to inhibit the formation of C. albicans biofilms and disrupt established biofilms.




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