New approaches to the treatment of candidiasis regarding alternative and complementary medicine
Conference Paper
Overview
Overview
abstract
Candidiasis is considered one of the most common opportunistic fungal infections, but in the
last years, hás reached epidemic leveis. Despite being Cândida albicans considered the most
frequent, other non-Candida albicans Cândida species have also been involved [1].
Accordingly, and also due to the overuse of antimicrobial agents, the number of microorganisms
with acquired drug-resistance is increasing, which difficult the success of the treatment [2].
Thus, other efficient and new alternatives are required, and the present work aims to provide
new insides towards an effective treatment of candidiasis, according to our recent revision of
the related literature [1].
A wide variety of factors are involved and favors the occurrence of this complicated fungal
infection. Prevention is the most effective treatment, which includes for example, a good
personal hygiene, to avoid some dietary risk factors and also to ensure a healthy intestinal flora.
But, in face of an active infection, a rapid and effective inten/ention is necessary. Antifungal
drugs should be prescribed only if necessary. Plants are extremely rich sources of
phytochemicals with antimicrobial potential, such as phenolic compounds, wtiich are able not
only to reduce Cândida species to a normal and controllable levei, but also to promote correct
metabolic and immunologic functions, among other health benefits. For example, phenolic
extracta of Juglans regia L., Eucalyptus globulus L., Rtfóus ulmifolius Schott, Pterospartum
tridentatum (L.) Willk. [3] as well as Sa/wa officinalis L. [4] have shown to be promissory
antifungal agents, being those effects mainly related with the presence of phenolic acids and
flavonoids. Notwithstanding, their mechanisms of action remain unknown, which still encourage
the research in this área.
