Saussurea costus: An Effective Treatment Against Candida

Reem  Waleed; Raghad F.  Al-Ansari; Maryam Hamed  Jabir; Khalid Zainualbdeen; Omran  Mansour

doi:10.47419/bjbabs.v6i04.374

Authors

Reem Waleed Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7737-2909
Raghad F. Al-Ansari Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8640-6201
Maryam Hamed Jabir Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4142-6112
Khalid Zainualbdeen Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3829-5783
Omran Mansour Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Sciences, Bani Waleed University, Bani Waleed, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0479-7398

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47419/bjbabs.v6i04.374

Keywords:

Alternative therapy, Antifungal activity, Sesquiterpene lactones, , saussure costus, anti-candida

Abstract

Saussurea costus, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, is emerging as a powerful antiCandida agent. With the growing challenge of Candida infections and increasing resistance to
conventional antifungal drugs, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options. This literature review emphasizes the significant anti-Candida activity of S. costus, which is attributed
to its bioactive compounds, especially sesquiterpene lactones such as costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone. These compounds show inhibitory effects against various Candida species
through mechanisms including membrane disruption and enzyme inhibition. Notably, S. costus
has demonstrated comparable or even superior effectiveness to drugs like fluconazole, with
potential benefits in safety and reduced toxicity. The review highlights the herb’s potential as a
treatment for Candida infections and its possible use as a natural food preservative. However,
further research is necessary to fully realize its therapeutic potential and develop it into a viable treatment option.