Cabbage leaf extract (Brassica oleracea var. capitata alba) as a herbal medicine for leukorrhea

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to examine antifungal activity of cabbage leaf extracts against Candida albicans, to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), to analyze the comparative value of the extracts with ketoconazole, and to study the fastest contact time to eliminate C. albicans. Methods: The extraction of fresh cabbage leaf was done using the maceration method. The antifungal activity test and its comparative analysis against ketoconazole were assessed using the agar diffusion method. The extracts were tested for determining MIC value using solid medium, while the fastest contact time test was performed using turbidimetric method. Results: Based on its inhibitory diameter, cabbage leaf extracts gave potent antifungal activity against C. albicans. The MIC of the cabbage leaf extract was between range 1.50% to 1.75%. A comparative analysis of the extracts with ketoconazole showed that ketoconazole gave greater antifungal activity than the extract at the same concentration. Cabbage leaf extract with concentration 2.5% gave the fastest contact time (2.5 minutes) for eliminating C. albicans, while cabbage leaf extract with concentration 0.4% gave the longest contact time (15 minutes) for eliminating C. albicans. Conclusion: Cabbage leaf extract has a potential antifungal activity against C. albicans and prospective to be developed as a topical herbal medicine for treating candidiasis.