Glosains: Jurnal Sains Global Indonesia
Vol. 7 No. 4 (2026): Glosains: Jurnal Sains Global Indonesia

Moringa oleifera and Candida albicans: Integrating Antifungal Activity, Phytochemistry, and Host Inflammatory Responses

Syarifah Rosmely (Universitas Sriwijaya)
Susilawati Susilawati (Universitas Sriwijaya)
Dalilah Dalilah (Universitas Sriwijaya)
Hermansyah Hermansyah (Universitas Sriwijaya)
Gita Dwi Prasasty (Universitas Sriwijaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
12 Oct 2026

Abstract

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), predominantly associated with Candida albicans, remains challenging to manage because of recurrence, antifungal resistance, and complex interactions between fungal virulence and host inflammatory responses. Moringa oleifera contains bioactive compounds with potential antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: This structured narrative review aimed to synthesize the available preclinical and mechanistic evidence on the antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties of M. oleifera relevant to C. albicans and candidiasis. Methods: A narrative review was conducted through targeted searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The evidence set comprised five sources directly addressing M. oleifera–Candidainteractions, including four original experimental studies and one integrative review; five mechanistic anti-inflammatory or analytical investigations; and ten phytochemical or disease-context reviews. Evidence was extracted and thematically synthesized according to study characteristics, antifungal activity, phytochemical constituents, inflammatory mechanisms, methodological limitations, and relevance to Candida-associated disease. Results: M. oleifera preparations showed preclinical anti-Candida activity through fungal growth inhibition, membrane disruption, altered cellular metabolism, and oxidative stress. Anti-inflammatory evidence consistently involved the modulation of NF-κB, Nrf2, COX-2, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, the studies were predominantly preclinical and heterogeneous in preparation and methodology, and few evaluated antifungal and host-modulating effects simultaneously in VVC-specific models. Conclusion: M. oleifera represents a promising source of antifungal and anti-inflammatory compounds; however, standardized preparations, Candida-specific models, safety studies, and clinical trials are required before its therapeutic application in VVC can be established.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

Glosains

Publisher

Subject

Description

Glosains (Jurnal Sains Global Indonesia) is a peer- reviewed scholarly journal managed and published by Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Kuningan. The journal serves as an academic platform for researchers, academics, and practitioners in the fields of natural sciences, applied sciences, and ...