Phytochemical Profiling, Antifungal, Electrolyte-Modulating, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Zingiber Officinale Crude Extract in Candida Albicans-Infected Wistar Rats

Background: Vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection mainly caused by Candida albicans, an opportunistic pathogen responsible for candidiasis in humans. The proliferation of C. albicans is favored by environmental conditions such as low pH, high humidity, and moisture, which facilitate its colonization and overgrowth. Disruption of the normal vaginal microflora or local immune defenses can trigger infection, resulting in the clinical manifestations associated with vaginal candidiasis.
Aim: The study was carried out to aimed to assess the antifungal activity and impact on serum electrolytes and anti-inflammatory markers of Zingiber officinale (ginger) using standard methods.
Method: The study was carried out in two phases, in vivo and in vitro. In the in vitro experiment, Candida albicans was cultured in SDA at 25 ⁰C and exposed to the drug fluconazole and serial concentrations of the extract ranging from 300 mg/ml to 9.37 mg/ml and readings taken. In the in vivo experimental, 30 albino wistar rats were divided into 6 groups which includes; normal control (uninfected untreated), negative control (infected untreated), infected + standard drug (fluconazole [1000 mg/kg body weight {BW}]), and infected + extract at 250 mg/kg BW, 500 mg/kg BW and 1000 mg/kg BW; and its effect on some biochemical markers were assessed.
Result: The extract demonstrated strong antifungal efficacy, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 18.75 μg/mL and a fungicidal effect confirmed by the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), indicating complete elimination of C. albicans. The assessment of electrolyte parameters revealed significant alterations associated with Candida albicans infection and subsequent treatment with Zingiber officinale. Sodium (Na⁺) levels ranged from 131.50 ± 2.10 mmol/L in the negative control group to 144.00 ± 1.00 mmol/L in the 500 mg/kg ginger-treated group. The assessment of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-4) revealed the negative control group exhibited elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (34.80 ± 2.40 pg/ml) and IL-6 (165.40 ± 8.70 pg/ml) with a comparatively low anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 (28.60 ± 3.90 pg/ml).
Conclusion: The reduced sodium concentration observed in the infected untreated group suggests that Candida albicans infection may disrupt electrolyte balance, possibly through impaired renal regulation, dehydration, or inflammatory-mediated sodium loss. Elevated TNF-α and IL-6 are well established indicators of systemic inflammation and immune activation. Administration of plant extract at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg resulted in consistent reductions in TNF-α levels and IL-6 levels, while IL-4 levels increased. The standard drug group showed comparable effects.

Candida albicans; Antifungal; Anti-inflammatory; Zingiber officinale

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