In vitro anti-Candida activity of Melaleuca cajuputi extracts

Aims@#The rise of drug-resistant infectious diseases worldwide has spurred experts' interest in developing safe and effective alternative medicine. Melaleuca cajuputi extracts have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity in vitro against various bacterial species. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of local M. cajuputi leaf extracts (MCEs) against Candida albicans.@*Methodology and results@#Phytoconstituents of aqueous and ethanolic MCEs were screened conventionally using chemical tests. Broth microdilution assay and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed to study the anti-Candida activity of the extracts. Both MCEs contained terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins. Aqueous and ethanolic MCEs showed good fungicidal activity against the tested organism with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 50 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL, respectively and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) to MIC ratio of less or equal to 2. Scanning electron micrographs revealed yeast cell surface morphology alterations when treated with both MCEs at 1× MIC.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#In conclusion, MCEs have anti-Candida properties and thus, M. cajuputi extract could be an excellent potential source of natural antimicrobial agents for disease remedies.

Antifilarial and Antibiotic Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Melaleuca cajuputi Flowers

We evaluated the activity of methanolic extracts of Melaleuca cajuputi flowers against the filarial worm Brugia pahangi and its bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. Anti-Wolbachia activity was measured in worms and in Aedes albopictus Aa23 cells by PCR, electron microscopy, and other biological assays. In particular, microfilarial release, worm motility, and viability were determined. M. cajuputi flower extracts were found to significantly reduce Wolbachia endosymbionts in Aa23 cells, Wolbachia surface protein, and microfilarial release, as well as the viability and motility of adult worms. Anti-Wolbachia activity was further confirmed by observation of degraded and phagocytized Wolbachia in worms treated with the flower extracts. The data provided in vitro and in vivo evidence that M. cajuputi flower extracts inhibit Wolbachia, an activity that may be exploited as an alternative strategy to treat human lymphatic filariasis.