Evaluation of the Antifungal Effect of Moringa Oleifera on Oral Candidiasis in Immunosuppressed Rats.

Background: T-cell activity or function impairment is the primary cause of candidiasis, a common oral indicator of immunosuppression that results from the breakdown of intricate cellular relationships. The pathogen's developing resistance to azole medications, the usual treatment choice, is a cause for increasing concern. Herbal-based medications have been created to act as antifungal and immunomodulatory agents. The current study was designed to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of Moringa oleifera (M.oleifera) inn treating oral candidiasis.Material and methods: Fifty rats were divided as follows: Group I: rats were immunosuppressed with dexamethasone, infected with Candida albicans (C. albicans), and received no treatment. Group II: rats were infected with C. albicans and did not receive any treatment. Groups III, IV & V: rats were immunosuppressed, infected, and treated with Daktarin®, M. oleifera gels (40 and 60 mg/mL), respectively. Microbiologic samples were collected 0, 4, and 8 days after treatment, and animals were then sacrificed for histologic detection of candidal hyphae.Results: Immunosuppression resulted in a statistically significant increase in Candida CFU/ml compared to immunocompetent rats on day 0. Following treatment, M. oleifera gel at 60 mg/mL produced a statistically significant reduction in Candida CFU/mL across all time points, along with a greater histological decrease in hyphal count compared to the 40 mg/mL concentration. Both Daktarin oral gel and the immunocompetent control group demonstrated a more rapid decline in CFU/ml over time.Conclusion: M. oleifera demonstrated efficacy against C. albicans and shows potential as a therapeutic option for the treatment of oral candidiasis.