Ethnobotanical survey and anti-candidal activity of Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke

According to the ethnobotanical survey, Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke roots were used by local women as vaginal suppositories to cure vaginal yeast infections; however, there is a lack of scientific evidence of the antifungal capabilities of this plant species. This research sought to conduct an ethnobotanical survey and assess the antifungal efficacy of several extracts from S. vulgaris roots against Candida albicans, the primary pathogen responsible for many vaginal infections. Disc diffusion and well diffusion methods were performed to determine the inhibition growth zone of aqueous and methanolic extracts. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentrations were determined using the microdilution method. The outcomes revealed that water-based extracts, especially the decocted aqueous extract (Dec-H2O), had a greater effect against C. albicans relative to methanolic extracts. The MIC has been determined to be 8.68 ± 5.68 mg·mL–1, while the growth inhibition zones, assessed using disc and well diffusion methods at a concentration of 500 mg·mL–1, were 16.66 ± 1.52 mm and 23.33 ± 2.08 mm, respectively. The findings indicate that the bioactive compounds present in the aqueous extracts of S. vulgaris roots may serve as alternative antifungal agents, presenting a viable strategy to combat antibiotic resistance of C. albicans in the future. Additionally, the current results demonstrate that the use of medicinal plants by local populations, based on their traditional knowledge and practical experiences, may provide significant and precise insights into the therapeutic attributes of these plants, providing easy guidance for further investigations and applications.