American Journal of Applied Sciences 6 (6): 1067-1069, 2009
ISSN 1546-9239

© 2009 Science Publications

Inhibitory Effect of Ginger Extract on Candida albicans

1Zahra Atai, 2Manijeh Atapour and 3Maryam Mohseni
1Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry,
Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2Clinical Laboratory Doctor, Neuroscience Research Center,
Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3Dentist, Farhangian Dental Clinic, Khajoo Street, Kerman, Iran

Abstract:Problem statement:The fungal infections could be life-threatening in immunocompromised
patients. Candida albicans is the most frequent fungi in the oral cavity. Approach: The first step for
treatment could be done using topical antifungal agents. Nystatine is a choice for mentioned usage but
there are some problems in its using including: unfavorite taste, frequency of usage, etc. Finding better
replacements is the subject of many studies. Results: This study was carried out to find an alternative
for Nystatine. The study was designed based on laboratory investigations to investigate the antifungal
activity of zingiber offcinale (Ginger) on Candida albicans. Candida albicanse (PTCC 5027,
ATCC10231) was obtained from Iranian microbial collection and was confirmed by Germ Tube
formation test. Ethanolic ginger extract was prepared. The antifungal activity of the extract was
determined using Agar dilution and disc diffusion techniques. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test.
Conclusion/Recommendations:The results showed that the ethanolic extract was effective on
?
Candida albicans (2 mg mL 1) at the concentration of 1:5. The study indicates that ginger extract
might have promise in treatment of oral candidiasis.

Key words: Zingiber officinale, antifungal activity, Candida albicans

INTRODUCTION
range of confirmed pharmacological properties[11-13].

More recently studies have shown the antifungal

The incidence of serious infections caused by
properties of ginger extract, Gingerol[13].
yeast, particularly species of Candida, has increased

In this study the antifungal activities of ethanolic
dramatically during the past decade. Oral candidiasis,
extract of the rhizomes of “zingiber officinale” on
formerly dismissed as an simple infection occurring in
Candida albicans was investigated.
denture wearers, is now one of the most common

opportunistic
infections
in
immunocompromised
MATERIALS AND METHODS
patients such those undergoing chemo therapy, HIV-

infected persons and transplant recipients[1,2].

The fungi used in this study, Candida albicans

There are topical and systemic antifungal agents
(PTCC 5027 and ATCC 10231), was purchased
that may be indicated to control oral candidiasis, but,
from Iranian microbial collection (Tehran, Iran).
the development of resistance is an emerging trend that
Candida albicans was cultured and maintained on
subouraud’s dextrose agar medium at 30°C. Inoculums
may threaten their clinical effectiveness[1-4]. For
of yeast like fungi were prepared for disc diffusion
millions of people that traditional medicine serves as
assays. Sterile 705 mm diameter paper discs (3M, USA)
the only opportunity for health care, plants are vital
were impregnated with 2 mg (10 µL) ethanolic plant
sources. Safety and lower side effects of many herbal
extract, allowed to air dry and placed face down on the
extracts have also suggested them as sources of new
inoculated agar surface. Nystatin solution 100000U/CC
pharmaceuticals[5-8]. History of ginger and its
used as positive control. Discs impregnated with 10 µL
applications are well documented[9,10]. It has been in
of 1% normal saline and allowed to air dry served as
medical use since ancient times. Ginger is listed in
negative control. Plates were then incubated at 30°C in
modern pharmacopoeias and repertories and has a wide
dark for 48 h, after which the diameter of the fungal
Corresponding Author: Zahra Atai, Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry,

Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
1067

---

Am. J. Applied Sci., 6 (6): 1067-1069, 2009

growth inhibition zone was measured. The well
DISCUSSION
containing the highest dilution of ginger extract that

still showed a zone of inhibition around it was

Members of the Zingiberaceae family are
considered to be MIC[14,15].
important in traditional medicine for the treatment of

Extracts was prepared by blending approximately
many diseases such as inflammation, morning
500 g of the preserved plant material in 99%
sickness in pregnancy and many infective diseases.
ethanol (1:3 (W/V) ratio). The mixture was filtered
Significant antifungal activities were evident with
and the filtrate was retained and the residue was again
extracts from members of the Zingiberaceae[16-18]. This
stored in fresh ethanol and processed as above. The
study showed that the extract of rhizomes of
filtrates were collected and the solvent was rotary
Z.officinale has pronounced inhibitory activities against
evaporated at 45°C to near dryness, whereupon the
Candida albicans. This result is comparable with other
extract was freeze-dried for 48 h to achieve complete
studies[5,9,10,12] suggesting that different antifungal
dryness.
agents are present in the Ginger extract. In the ginger

The process yielded approximately 35-45 g of
rhizome there are several components which have
dried extract. The dried extract (200 mg) was
antibacterial and anti fungal effects. The gingerol and
shagelol identified as more active agents[13].
reconstituted in 1 mL of 99% ethanol for a final
?

Ginger extract containing Gingerol inhibits the
concentration of 10 mg mL 1 for antifungal disk assays.
growth of many bacteria and fungi in vitro and the
Data were analyzed by ANOVA test.
activity might be contributed to the preventive effects

of its different agents[13,18-21].
RESULTS

Recent studies have focused on the effect of Ginger

on the oral bacteria and fungi. Park et al. showed that

The ginger extract was effective in inhibiting the
crude extract of the ginger can inhibit the growth of oral
growth of Candida albicanse. The positive control
bacteria in vitro[23] which is in good agreement with our
(Nystatin) produced significantly sized inhibition
results.

zones with Candida albicans, while the negative
CONCLUSION
control produce no observable zones. The inhibitory

zone was measured with respect to the extract

Antifungal activity of the ginger extract has been
concentration in 24 and 48 h. This assay showed that
reported before[1-13]. Our study focused on the effect of
the inhibitory zone was reduced while decreasing the
ginger extract on the oral species of Candida (Albicans)
concentration (Fig. 1).
and showed the significant anticandidal effect the

There was significant difference between the
extract.
Although
species
belonging
to
the
extract and Nystatin in their inhibition activity in
Zingiberaceae family are generally regarded safe for
comparison
with
Candida
albicanse
(p<0.01).
human consumption[22], further bio-assay guided
analysis and clinical trial studies are required to
Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the ginger
?
approve it as an anti fungal agent for oral species. Our
extract was obtained for the concentration at 2 mg mL 1
results suggest the ginger components as promising
(1:5 dilution).
candidates for development of antifungal agents for

topical applications.

Ginger 24 h
Ginger 48 h
14

Nystatin 24 h
Nystatin 48 h
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
12
)

2 m 10

The researchers would like to thank the Kerman
e

(
m
n
8
University of Medical Sciences (vice chancellor for
o

z
research) for sponsorship of the field research (Grant
r
y
6
i
t
o
number: 83/53).
i
b
h
4

I
n
REFERENCES
2

0
1. Giuliana, G., G. Pizzo, M.E. Milici and R. Giangreco,
1
1/5
1/25
1/125
1/625
1/3125
1/15625
1999. In vitro activities of antimicrobial agent
Extract dilution (mg dL)

against candida species. J. Surg. Oral Med. Oral

Pathol. Oral Radiol. Oral Endod., 87: 44-49.
Fig. 1: Inhibitory zone in comparison with dilution
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9927079
1068

---

Am. J. Applied Sci., 6 (6): 1067-1069, 2009

2. Miller, T.F., J.I. Kelley, M.A. Jabra, L.G. Depaola,
13. Ficker, C., M.L. Smith and K. Akpagana, 2003.
A.A. Baqui and W.A. Falker, 2001. In vitro studies
Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of
of the efficacy of antimicrobials against Fungi,
antifungal compounds from ginger. J. Phytother.
2001. J. Oral Surg. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol. Oral
Res., 17: 897-903. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1335
Endod.,
91:
663-670.
DOI:
14. Forbes, B.A., D.F. Sahm and A.S. Wessfeld, 1998.
10.1076/moe.2001.113550
Bailey and Scott’s Diagnosic Microbiology.
3. Vianna, M.E., B.P.F. Gomes, V.B. Berder, A.A. Zaia,
10th Edn., Mosby Publishers, pp: 100-102.
C.R. Feraz and F.J. Souzafilho, 2004. In vitro
15. Bakri, I. and M. Doyglas, 2005. Inhibitory effect of
evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of
garlic extract on oral bacteria, Arch. Oral Biol.,
chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite. J. Oral
50: 645-651.
Surg. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol. Oral Endod.,

DOI: 10.1016/J.archoralbio.2004.12.002
97: 79-84. DOI: 10.1016/s1079-2104(03)00360-3
16. Bliddal, H., A. Rosetzsky, P. Schlichting, M.S. Weidner,
4. Barasch, A., M.M., Safford, M.I. Depakute and
L.A. Andersen, H.H. Ibfelt, K. Christernsen and
D.H. Fine, 2004. Efficacy of chlorhexidine
O.N. Jensen, 2000. A randomized, placebo
gluconate rinse for Treatment and prevention of
controlled, cross-over study of ginger extracts and
oral candidiasis in HIV-infected children: A pilot
Ibuprofen in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage,
study. J. Oral Surg Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Oral Endod.,
8: 9-12.
97: 204-207. DOI: 10.1016/J.tripleo.2003.09.005

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10607493
5. DeBoer, H.J., A. Kool, A. Broberg, W.R. Mziray,
17. Mahady, G.B., S.L. Pendland, G.S. Yun, Z.Z. Lu
I. Hedberg and J.J. Levenfors, 2005. Antifungal
and A. Stoia, 2003. Ginger (Zingiber officinale
activity of some herbal remedies from Tanzanias. J.
Roscoe) and the gingerols inhibit the growth of
Cag A+ strains of Helicobacter pylori. J.
Ethnopharmacol.,
96:
461-469.
DOI:
Anticancer Res., 23: 3699-3702. www.iiar-
10.1016/J.jep.2004.09.035
anticancer.org
6. Alzoreky,
N.S.
and
K.
Nakahara,
2003.
18. Ficker, C.E., M.L. Smith, S. Susiarti, D.J. Leaman,
Antibacterial activity of extracts from some edible
C. Irawati and J.T. Arnason, 2003. Inhibition of
plants commonly consumed in Asia International.
Human
pathogenic
fungi
by
members
of
J.
Food
Microbiol.,
80:
223-230.
DOI:
Zingiberaceae. J. Ethnopharmacol., 85: 289-293.
10.1016/so168-1605(02)00169-1
DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(03)00009-6
7. Konning, G.H., C. Agyare and B. Ennison, 2004.
19. Tjendraputra, E., V.H. Tran, D. Liu-Brennan,
Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants
B.D. Roufogalis and C.C. Duke, 2002. Effect of
from Ghana. J. Phytother., 75: 65-67. DOI:
ginger constituents and synthetic analogues on
10.1016/J.fitote.2003.07.001
cyclooxygecase -2enzyme in intact cells. J.
8. Adel, M. and A. Mahasneh, 1999. Antimicrobial
Bioorganic
Chem.,
29:
153-156.
DOI:
activity of extracts of herbal used in the traditional
10.1006/bioo.2001.1208
medicine of Jordan. J. Ethnopharmacol.,
20. Ippoushi, K., K. Azuma, H. Ito, H. Horie and
64: 271-276. DOI: 10.1016/so378-8741(98)00132-9
H.M. Higashio, 2003. Gingerol inhibits nitric oxide
9. Mascolo, N., R. Jain and S.C. Jain, 1998.
synthesis in activated J 774.1 mouse macrophages
Ethnopharmacologic
investigation
of
ginger
and prevents peroxynitrite-induced oxidant and
(Zingiber officinale). J. Ethnopharmacol.,
nittation reactions. J. Life Sci., 73: 3427-3437.
27: 129-140. DOI: 10.1016/0378-8741(89)90085-8
DOI: 10.1016/J.lfs.2003.06.022
10. Akoachere, J.F., R.N. Ndip, E.B. Chenwi, L.M. Ndip,
21. Endo, K., E. Kanno and Y. Oshima, 1990.
T.E. Njock and D.N. Anong, 2002. Antibacterial
Structures
of
antifungal
diarylheptenones,
effect of Zingiber officinale and Garcinia kola on
gingerenones A, B, C and isogingerenone B,
respiratory tract pathogens. East African Med. J.,
isolated from the rhiomes of Zingiber officinale. J.
79: 588-592. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1830
Phytochem., 29: 797-799.
11. Habsah, M., M. Amran, M.M. Mackeen, N.H. Lajis,

http:www.elsvier.nl/inca/publications/store/2/7/3/
H. Kikuzaki, N.I. Nakatan, A.A. Rahman and
22. Weidner, M.S. and K. Sigwart, 2000. The safety of
A.M. Hafar, 2000. Screening of Zingiberaceae
a ginger extract in the rat, J. Ethno Pharmacol.,
extracts for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.
73: 513-520. DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00340-8
J.
Ethnopharmacol.,
72:
403-410.
DOI:
23. Park, M., J. Bae and D.S. Lee, 2008. Antibacterial
10.1016/so378-8741(00)00223-3
activity of (10)-Gingerol and (12)-Gingerol
12. Gugnani, H.C. and E.C. Ezenwanze, 1985.
isolated from Ginger Rhizome against periodontal
Antibacterial activity of extracts of ginger and
bacteria. J. Phytother. Res., 22: 1446-1449. DOI:
10.1002/ptr.2473
African oil bean seed. J. Commun. Dis., 17: 233-236.
1069

---