title: Effects of Vernonia cinerea less methanol extract on growth and morphogenesis of Candida albicans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vernonia (V.) cinerea Less (Asteraceae) have many therapeutic uses in the practice of traditional medicine. The methanol extract of V cinerea, was screened for antiyeast activity against pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antimicrobial activities were studied by using disc diffusion method and broth dilution method. The effect of the extract on the growth profile of the yeast was also examined via time-kill assay. In addition to the fungicidal effects study, microscopic observations using Scanning (SEM) electron microscopy, Transmission (TEM) electron microscopy and light microscopy (LM) were done to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of Candida (C) albicans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extract showed a favorable antimicrobial activity against C. albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1.56 mg/mL. Time-kill assay suggested that Vernonia cinerea extract had completely inhibited Candida albicans growth and also exhibited prolonged antiyeast activity. The main abnormalities notes from these microscopic observations were the alterations in morphology and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 h of exposure to the extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extract of Vernonia cinerea may be an effective agent to treat the Candida albicans infection.
authors: School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.
authors: L Yoga
authors: LY
authors: Latha
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Darah
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Jain
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sasidharan
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000432:Methanol; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035741:Vernonia
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000432:Methanol