Effect of E.globulus upon Candida colonization in normal and diabetic rats

  Background : The leaves of Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) are used for treatment of diabetes mellitus in traditional medicine. The aim of present study is to evaluate the effects of eucalyptus in treatment of systemic infection with Candida albicans in normal and streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats.

  Materials and Method: Sixty normoglycemic male Wistar rats, weighing 200-250 g, were selected and randomly divided into six groups (n=10) : I. normal control, II. control+C. albicans, III. control+eucalyptus+C. albicans, IV. Diabetic control, V. diabetic+ C. albicans , VI. d iabetic +eucalyptus + C. albicans . Experimental diabetes was induced in IV-VI groups after a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) and eucalyptus was added to the diet (62.5 g/kg) and drinking water (2.5 g/L) of III and VI groups for 3 weeks. The II, III, V, and VI groups were inoculated with C. albicans in seventh day using intraperitoneal injection of C. albicans. At the end of 23 days experiment, fasted rats were killed by cervical decapitation. Blood was collected from neck vein for estimation of glucose. C. albicans concentrations were estimated in liver and kidneys using serial dilution culture of tissue homogenates.

  Results: E ucalyptus administration significantly improved the hyperglycemia, polydipsia, polyphagia, and it also compensated weight loss of diabetic rats ( p =0.05). Moreover, eucalyptus caused a significant reduction in C. albicans concentration in liver and kidney homogenates ( p =0.04).

  Conclusion: The results revealed that eucalyptus improves Candidia infection in normal and diabetic rats.