Fungicidal action of endophytic fungi, obtained from Justicia carnea, against multidrug-resistant Candida albicans

Candida albicans causes high morbidity and mortality and is becoming a danger to public health. The problem created by its high occurrence and the treatment failures cannot be overstated. Endophytes derived from some medicinal plants serve as a new source of drug discovery. This study is aimed at evaluating the fungicidal potential of endophytic fungi obtained from Justicia carnea against multidrug-resistant Candida albicans. Candida albicans were obtained from clinical samples at Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Anambra State, Nigeria. The susceptibility study to isolate multi-drug-resistant Candida albicans with antifungal agents was determined using the Kirby-Bauer technique. The isolation and extraction of fungal metabolites were carried out. The fungicidal activity of the metabolites against multi-drug-resistant Candida albicans was studied using in vitro method. Molecular characterization of endophytic was carried up to the species level. The findings have established that Candida albicans species are becoming resistant to fluconazole, followed by miconazole, within the environment. The leaves of Justicia carnea produced a high yield of secondary metabolites. These metabolites have significant antifungal effects against the isolates of multi-drug-resistant Candida albicans up to a concentration of 18.8 mg/ml. The DNA sequence of the endophytic fungi isolate is the same as Sordariomycetes sp. This study indicates that Justicia carnea harbors endophytic fungi with biosynthetic capacities for a new bioactive agent.