Pluchea Dioscoridis Research Articles

The toxicity, repellent, and biochemical effects of four wild plant extracts against Aphis gossypii Glover and Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley: HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds

AbstractThe insecticidal and repellent activities of the four wild plant extracts: stinging nettle, Urtica dioica L., white henbane, Hyoscyamus albus L., camphorweeds, Pluchea dioscoridis L., and cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium L. were tested compared to the insecticide spirotetramat against the 3rd nymphal instar of Aphis gossypii Glover and adult females of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley after 24 and 48 h of treatment. Their effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzyme activities were also assessed to explore their possible mechanisms of action. The phenolic compounds of the plant extracts were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The most abundant compounds in the methanol extract from P. dioscoridis were gallic acid (14.45 µg/mL), and cinnamic acid (11.44 µg/mL); from U. dioica were caffeic acid (15.32 µg/mL) and syringic acid (13.47 µg/mL); from H. albus were syringic acid (7.12 µg/mL) and catechol (5.33 µg/mL); and from X. strumarium were p-coumaric acid (24.53 µg/mL) and pyrogallol (18.35 µg/mL). According to the LC50 values, the contact toxicity of U. dioica, H. albus, P. dioscoridis, and X. strumarium against A. gossypii was 40.3, 60.6, 56.2, and 32.3 mg/L, whereas, the contact toxicity against P. solenopsis was 56.4, 67.5, 64.3, and 36.2 mg/L, compared to the spirotetramat (17.2 and 24.5 mg/L), respectively, at 48 h of treatment. The highest repellency rates were observed with LC50 values for X. strumarium (63.2 and 60.3%), followed by U. dioica (46.2 and 43.5%), P. dioscoridis (45.3 and 42.8%), and H. albus extract (38.8 and 35.2%) compared to the spirotetramat (78.5 and 76.2%) against A. gossypii and P. solenopsis at 24 h, but decreased with time. The AChE and GST activities in pests were significantly inhibited, compared to control and spirotetramat, with dose and time-dependent effects. These findings indicate that tested wild extracts may be suggested as viable alternatives for aphids and mealybugs control.

KARYOSYSTEMATICS STUDY OF SOME ASTERACEAE SPECIES (COMPOSITAE) IN SAUDI ARABIA

Chromosome numbers were reported for 10 species of family Asteraceae from Saudi Arabia. The new count was reported in Pulicaria schimperi L. Karyotype analysis weremade for all species, Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist 2n=18, Bidens pilosa L., 2n=70, Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. 2n=32, Pulicaria schimperi L. 2n=12, Lactuca serriola L.2n=18, Launaea capitata (Spreng.) Dandy 2n=18, Launaea resedifolia (L.) Kuntze 2n=18, Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. F. 2n=18, Reichardia tingitana (L.) Roth 2n=16, and Sonchus oleraceus L. 2n=32, belonging to 4 tribes: Astereae, Heliantheae, Inulea and Lactuceae. Pulicaria schimperi L. has the lowest chromosome number (2n=12), while the highest number of (2n=70) is recorded in Bidens pilosa L.

First record of Pluchea dioscoridis (Asteraceae) in Northern Libya

Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. is a species native to Eastern Africa that has been recorded for the first time in northern Libya. It was discovered growing around the city of Benghazi in populations of more than 100 plants beside roads and inside city gardens, and also on the edge of the salt marshes in a typical wet habitat of halophyte plants about five kilometres east of Benghazi and not far from the shoreline in north-east Libya. Populations of this plant were first noticed in 2018 once the civil war was over in Benghazi and confirmed during an investigative research project that aimed to evaluate the state of vegetation four years after the evacuation of the city.

Potential Efficiency of Wild Plant Species (Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC.) for Phytoremediation of Trace Elements on Contaminated Locations

The current study outlines the potential of wild plant species (Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC.) for the phytoremediation of trace elements (TEs) such as Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, and Cu at various contaminated locations: an industrial area (S1); a residential area with a high traffic load (S2); and a rural area (S3). Data showed that the photosynthetic pigments and flavonoids decreased significantly at S1, at which TEs accumulated with high concentrations. This drop in chlorophyll concentration reflects foliar damage caused by TE contamination. The carotenoids/chlorophyll index (Car/Chl) ratio showed non-significant variations for all studied spheres. High values of chlorophyll ratio (a/b) were also recorded in plant leaves which faced TE stress. The translocation factors (TF); enrichment coefficient for root (ECR); and shoot (ECS) varied clearly among the TEs as well as the studied sites, proving the ability of the plant to carry out phytoremediation of Pb, Cd, and Zn. The highest values of the metal accumulation index (MAI) were recorded at S1. Significant positive correlations for the pairs Cd and Pb in soil versus P. dioscoridis tissues indicated its usefulness as a phytoextraction strategy for these elements. The management of residential and rural areas should be exploiting the natural wild phytoremediation potential of this plant.

Chemical composition of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. essential oils from different natural habitats with their anticancer and antimicrobial potential

Chemical composition of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. essential oils from different natural habitats with their anticancer and antimicrobial potential

LC-MS/MS profiling, antibiofilm, antimicrobial and bacterial growth kinetic studies of Pluchea dioscoridis extracts

Abstract The therapeutical applications of ornamental plants have been categorized to be of a great effectiveness in multiple industries from ancient times until present days. Pluchea dioscoridis is widely known Egyptian wooden plant that has been extensively applied for different medicinal purposes. In this study, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the potent antimicrobial ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of P. dioscoridis leaves led to identification of 28 and 21 compounds, respectively. The identified compounds were categorized as phenolic acids, phenolic acids derivatives, organic acids, flavonoids (aglycones and glycosides), secoiridoids, coumarin derivatives, and gallotannins derivatives. Among them, caffeic acid 3-sulfate was the most predominate in the investigated extracts followed by ferulic acid and dicaffeoyl-quinic acid. Also, the antimicrobial potentiality of different extracts was evaluated against different pathogenic microbes including Enterobacter cloacae, Micrococcus leutus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus lichneformis and Clostridium species. Furthermore, different concentrations of the most potent extract were assayed for antibacterial efficacy on growth curve kinetics against the susceptible bacteria along 4days incubation period. Our gathered data confirmed that, the antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria was different according to the solvent used in the extraction process. Mostly, all the extracts showed a wide spectrum antibacterial activity except the plant water extract which shows a mild activity against Clostridium sp. only. Based on the highest inhibition zone diameter, the ethyl acetate extract followed by butanol extract exhibited the highest inhibition zone with Micrococcus luteus and B. subtilis (20.0 and 18.5 mm) respectively. Determining the effect of ethyl acetate extract at different concentration (0, 0.66, 1.66, 3.33, 6.67, 13.34 and 20.01 mg mL−1) on M. luteus growth kinetics, the data assured that the antibacterial activity shows concentration dependent manner with the highest antibacterial activity at 20.01 mg mL−1 culture. The data also confirmed that, none of the selected concentration showed bactericidal activity in the prepared cultures, and with the prolonged incubation period the bacteria acquire resistance against the extract beginning from second or third day of incubation.

Evaluation of antiurolithiatic and antioxidant activity of the Egyptian Pluchea dioscoridis L. leaves extracts in vitro

Bioactive compounds in medicinal plants are believed to be an important in the folk of medicine. Many efforts have been done to discover the safe medical treatment instead of chemical drugs which have a harmful effect on the human body. In the present study the crude extracts of Pluchea dioscoridis were tested to evaluate their bioactive compounds (total phenolic and flavonoid compounds) and their effects as antiurolithiasis of human stones (calcium triphosphate (CTP), cholesterol and calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) besides, their antioxidant activities. The measured total phenolic compounds content in the methanol, ethyl acetate, and water extracts of Pluchea dioscoridiswere found to be equal to 11.842, 9.047, and 8.126 mg/g, respectively. Also, the contents of the total flavonoid compounds (total phenol) were 19.018, 15.312, and 14.022mg/g for methanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts of P.dioscoridis, respectively. The results showed that all extracts of P. dioscoridis have a significant inhibitory effect on the dissolution of the three investigated types of formed stones (CTP, cholesterol, and COM). The inhibition effect was in the order methanol > ethyl acetate > water extract. Also, it was found that all extracts for P.dioscoridis were exhibited 2, 2, diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazil (DPPH) radical, reducing power, ABTS∙+ radical, Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. Methanol extract of P. dioscoridis exhibited the highest scavenging activity compared to ethyl acetate and water extracts. Refaat Ahmed Saber

Ecological Impacts of Megaprojects: Species Succession and Functional Composition.

Land-use changes have huge impacts on natural vegetation, especially megaprojects, as the vegetation layer is destroyed in the course of construction works affecting the plant community composition and functionality. This large-scale disturbance might be a gateway for the establishment of invasive plant species, which can outcompete the natural flora. In contrast, species occurring in the area before the construction are not able to re-establish. In this study, we analyzed the impact of a pipeline construction on a wetland nature reserve located in northern Egypt. Therefore, we analyzed the plant species occurrence and abundance and measured each plant species’ traits before the construction in 2017 as well as on multiple occasions up to 2 years after the construction had finished on altogether five sampling events. We found that the construction activity led to the establishment of an invasive species which previously did not occur in the area, namely, Imperata cylindrica, whereas five species (Ipomoea carnea, Pluchea dioscoridis, Polygonum equisetiforme, Tamarix nilotica, and Typha domingensis) could not re-establish after the disturbance. The functionality of ecosystems assessed via the analysis of plant functional traits (plant height, specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content) changed within species over all sampling events and within the community showing a tendency to approximate pre-construction values. Functional dispersion and Rao’s quadratic diversity were higher after the megaproject than before. These findings are important to capture possible re-establishment and recovery of natural vegetation after construction and raise awareness to the impact of megaprojects, especially in areas which are high priority for conservation.

Application of barnûf ( Pluchea dioscoridis ) leaves extract as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent for eggs quality and safety improvement during storage

Application of barnûf ( <i>Pluchea dioscoridis</i> ) leaves extract as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent for eggs quality and safety improvement during storage

Distribution of Pluchea dioscoridis plant community types in relation to the combined effect of soil and climate

Distribution of Pluchea dioscoridis plant community types in relation to the combined effect of soil and climate

Variations in Achene Traits, Germination and Seedling Growth of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. As affected by Maternal Climatic Aridity

The collection and germination of seeds for conspecific population distributed along climatic gradients can elucidate maternal environmental effects on achene traits, germination and seedling establishment and fitness. The current study explores this approach for the natural populations of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. (Asteraceae) which grows over a wide range of climatic regions in Egypt (Mediterranean, semiarid, and arid). The arid region showed the smallest achene size and pappus length, while the achenes size of Mediterranean region was > 36% and >27% larger than those of arid and semiarid regions, respectively. Generally, seed viability decreased with aridity and ranged from 41.96% at semiarid to 9.32% arid regions. Achenes from the three maternal climatic regions began germinating at approximately the same time, but germination rate proceeded differently. The achene germination percentage ranged from 10% to 33.54% for arid and semiarid regions, respectively. The study showed a significant effect of maternal climatic aridity on achene traits, germination rate and final germinating percentage of P. dioscoridis. However, survival rate of the three climatic regions was constant after 130 days of sowing. The results demonstrated how such widespread species acquire multiple maternal traits and mechanisms to optimize their adaptation, regeneration, and conservation of populations in stressful environments. However, further studies are required to demonstrate the phenotypic plasticity, reproductive efforts, and mechanism of dormancy loss of P. dioscoridis under different natural climatic conditions.

Chemical Profiles, Anticancer, and Anti-Aging Activities of Essential Oils of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. and Erigeron bonariensis L.

Plants belonging to the Asteraceae family are widely used as traditional medicinal herbs around the world for the treatment of numerous diseases. In this work, the chemical profiles of essential oils (EOs) of the above-ground parts of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. and Erigeron bonariensis (L.) were studied in addition to their cytotoxic and anti-aging activities. The extracted EOs from the two plants via hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). GC-MS of EO of P. dioscoridis revealed the identification of 29 compounds representing 96.91% of the total oil. While 35 compounds were characterized from EO of E. bonariensis representing 98.21%. The terpenoids were found the main constituents of both plants with a relative concentration of 93.59% and 97.66%, respectively, including mainly sesquiterpenes (93.40% and 81.06%). α-Maaliene (18.84%), berkheyaradulen (13.99%), dehydro-cyclolongifolene oxide (10.35%), aromadendrene oxide-2 (8.81%), β-muurolene (8.09%), and α-eudesmol (6.79%), represented the preponderance compounds of EO of P. dioscoridis. While, trans-α-farnesene (25.03%), O-ocimene (12.58%), isolongifolene-5-ol (5.53%), α-maaliene (6.64%), berkheyaradulen (4.82%), and α-muurolene (3.99%), represented the major compounds EO of E. bonariensis. A comparative study of our results with the previously described data was constructed based upon principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), where the results revealed a substantial variation of the present studied species than other reported ecospecies. EO of P. dioscoridis exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the two cancer cells, MCF-7 and A-549 with IC50 of 37.3 and 22.3 μM, respectively. While the EO of the E. bonariensis showed strong cytotoxicity against HepG2 with IC50 of 25.6 μM. The EOs of P. dioscoridis, E. bonariensis, and their mixture (1:1) exhibited significant inhibitory activity of the collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase comparing with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as a reference. The results of anti-aging showed that the activity of mixture (1:1) > P. dioscoridis > E. bonariensis against the four enzymes.

Plant Diversity and Community Structure of the main Wadis at High Altitudes of the Western Mountains at Taif, Saudi Arabia

THE PRESENT study aimed at surveying and identifying plant species distributed in the main valleys at high altitudes in the study area, analyzing their vegetation, depicting the prevailing plant communities and assessing the role of the environmental conditions that affect the communities. Seventy-five stands were selected to represent the the vegetation physiognomy and the accompanying environmental variations. The species abundance, life forms, chorotype, and economic uses were determined. The total number of recorded species is 165 species belonging to 128 genera and 47 families. About 69.7% of these species are perennials and 30.3% were annuals. Poaceae and Asteraceae had the highest contributions to the total flora. Chamaephytes had the highest contribution, followed by therophytes, phanerophytes, hemicryptophytes and geophytes, while hydrophytes and parasites had the lowest contribution. The economic uses of the recorded species could be arranged in descending order as follows: medicinal > grazing > fuel > human food > other uses. The mono-regional and bi-regional species were the highest, while pluri-regional and cosmopolitans were the lowest. Of the mono-regionals, 36 species were Sudano-Zambezian, 17 species were Irano-Turanean and 16 species were Saharo-Arabian. The application of TWINSPAN on the cover estimates of 165 species recorded in 75 stands, led to the recognition of 8 vegetation groups (communities) at 3rd level of classification (I: Mentha longifolia group, II: Salsola imbricata group, III: Cynodon dactylon group and IV: Pluchea dioscoridis groups on the wetland wadis, and V: Aera javanvica group, VI: Acacia gerrardii var. gerrardii group, VII: Calotropis procera group and VIII: Acacia gerrardii var. gerradii-Solanum incanum groups on multi-wadis).

Assessment of Fuel Properties Produced From Tamarix nilotica and Pluchea dioscoridis Plants

NOWADAYS, there is a great demand concerning searching about renewable energy sources. Therefore, wild plants such as Tamarix nilotica and Pluchea dioscoridis could be used as fossil fuel-alternative to meet the huge increments in the energy demand. The aerial parts of T. nilotica were collected from the Cairo–Suez road, while those of P. dioscoridis were collected from Wadi Hagul, Egypt. The biofuel generating compounds including lipids, carbohydrates, cellulose, pectin and lignin were assayed. The physico-chemical properties of the produced biodiesel were calculated. The obtained results indicated that, the high cellulose content (25.02%) of T. nilotica increases its potentiality for bioethanol production. The GC-MS analysis showed that P. dioscoridis displayed the highest levels of saturated fatty acid (SFAs) and a desirable degree of unsaturation (DU). The biodiesel properties in terms of iodine value (IV), saponification number (SN), cetane number (CN), oxidative stability (OS), high heating value (HHV), kinematic viscosity (η) and density (ρ) for both species were within the recommended standards and mostly met the criteria required to be a diesel substitute compared with the international biodiesel standards. Particularly biodiesel produced from P. dioscoridis has good and suitable engine parameters (SN 196.3, IV 76.81 and CN 114.18).

Biomass estimation and heavy metal accumulation by Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. in the Middle Nile Delta, (Egypt): Perspectives for phytoremediation

The present study aims at developing a regression model for biomass estimation of Pluchea dioscoridis and investigating its ability to accumulate heavy metals from urbanized soils in order to be used as a potential bio-indicator of contaminated soils. In each of three residential sites, seven permanent quadrats (10 × 10 m) were selected for investigating the phenological behavior of P. dioscoridis, while an additional three quadrats were sampled for soil and plant analysis during March to November 2015. The flowering time of P. dioscoridis covers 7 months, with a peak in July. The above- and below-ground biomass attained their highest values in July. Concentrations of macro-nutrients in the shoot were significantly higher than in the root. However, concentrations of most heavy metals were significantly higher in the roots than in the shoots. The regression equations based on plant size index, as a predictor variable, was the best equation for different shoot compartments, while that based on plant diameter was the best equation for root biomass estimation. Based on the results of the bio-accumulation and translocation factors, P. dioscoridis can phytostabilize Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn and can be used in a phytoextraction strategy for Cr. The significant positive correlations between Cd and Cr in soil with those in P. dioscoridis tissues suggest its potential use as a bioindicator and biomonitor for Cd and Cr pollution.

Quantification of two biomarker compounds by a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method from different extracts of Pluchea dioscoridis growing in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to develop a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) procedure for resolution of chemical constituents and identification and quantification of two selected natural anticancer compounds, stigmasterol (PD-1) and cinnamic acid (PD-2), in Pluchea dioscoridis chloroform fraction (PDCF). The chromatographic estimations were conducted on normal HPTLC (20 cm × 10 cm glass-backed silica gel 60 F254) plates with chloroform-methanol-acetic acid (93:5:2, V/V) used as the mobile phase. para-Anisaldehyde was used for the derivatization of the developed plate, and compact spots were scanned at λmax = 513 nm. A well resolved, compact, and intense peaks of PD-1 and PD-2 were recorded at RF = 0.57 and 0.19, respectively. The proposed analytical method for both biomarker compounds was found to be handy, simple, precise, linear (%RSD = 1.03–1.45), accurate (98.91–99.14%), reliable, and sensitive for the analysis of both biomarkers. The LOD/LOQ (ng) for PD-1 and PD-2 were recorded as 38.73/117.37 and 42.58/129.04, respectively, in the linearity range of 200–1400 ng per spot. The obtained result showed maximum quantities of PD-1 and PD-2 (5.36 and 16.98 μg mg-1, respectively). The developed HPTLC was found to be suitable for the routine analysis of these 2 biomarkers in the chloroform fraction of Pluchea dioscoridis and can be further employed in the process quality control of herbal formulations containing the said biomarkers.

Factors affecting the distribution of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. and its associated species in Gharbia Governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt.

Pluchea dioscoridis is a perennial ruderal shrub. It has been classified as a weed controller due to its bushy growth, medicinal plant due to its strong antioxidant and anti-liver cancer activity and a phytoremediator plant. The present work aims to study the environmental factors affecting the distribution and common associated species of P. dioscoridis in Gharbia governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt. It aims also to assess the diversity and behavior of the common species along the different environmental factors. Seventy three stands, representing four common urban habitats (wastelands, railway sides, canal and drain banks), were selected. In each stand; the florisitic composition and cover of the studied species and its common associated species were estimated. Seventy-two species were recorded as being associated with P. diosocridis. Therophytes were the most represented, while parasites were the least. Mediterranean taxa had the highest chorological contribution. The highest coverage percentage of P. dioscoridis was recorded in the canal banks. TWINSPAN and DCA techniques led to the recognition of four vegetation groups; these groups were indicated by Persicaria salicifolia (A); Echinochloa stagnina and Chenopodium album (B); Arundo donax (C) and P. dioscoridis (D). Vegetation group D, which occupied wastelands, was the most diverse, while VG B occupied drain banks, was the least diverse. Soil analysis indicated that VG A occupied canal banks had the highest values of OM (7.7%) and P (41.2 mg100g-1), but the lowest water holding capacity (20.8%), Cl (0.08%), CO3 (0.07%) and HCO3 (0.04%). Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that chloride, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, carbonate, and calcium cations were the most effective environmental variables on the distribution of P. dioscoridis and its associated species in the study area. This study may be a beneficial tool to use P. dioscoridis as indicator of ecological change and to estimate the relationship between soil variables and wild communities of it.

Isolation, Characterization and Identification of the active antifungal compounds from ethanolic leaf extract of Pluchea dioscoridis

Antimicrobial properties of secondary metabolites from medicinal plants are being used to cure some chronic and acute diseases throughout the world. In the present study, an attempt has been made to isolate and identify the antifungal compound present in ethanolic leaf extract of Pluchea dioscoridis. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis for the secondary metabolites of P. dioscoridis were measured. P. dioscoridis had been investigated for the isolation of its secondary metabolites by thin layer chromatography (TLC). A preliminary screening of antifungal activity was carried out for all isolated fractions at different concentrations against otomycotic Aspergillus niger. Based on the results, Phenolic compound RF1 was selected as the efficient one, which showed antifungal activity against A. niger (MIC=2 mg/ml). It was identified by UV spectrum, IR, HNMR, Mass spectrum and HPLC analysis as gallic acid, which has the molecular formula of C7H6O5. It was concluded that gallic acid in P. dioscoridis extract could be known as potential antifungal compound.

GC-MS analysis and antioxidant activity of volatiles from Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC

The essential oil of the aerial parts of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC, an endemic medicinal plant growing in Egypt, was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The TIC chromatogram of the oil exhibited more than 80 components; their percentages (as determined by normalization method) ranged from 0.1 – 18.3 %; fifteen of which are considered major (the percentages of these components ranged from 1.34-18.3 %) and identified by library search of their MS data as well as by literature survey. Our results are remarkably different from the previously reported oil constituents. Eight of the major components are reported for the first time in the oil, while four components have been previously reported in oil samples. In-vitro testing for its antioxidant activity by measuring the reducing power and DPPH free radical scavenging activity were determined to be 22.77 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAe)/mL of oil, and 1.65 mg AAe/mL of oil, respectively. The reducing power of the oil was compared with values determined for clove oil and eucalyptus oil.

Efficacy of Pluchea dioscoridis leaf extract against pathogenic Candida albicans.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pluchea dioscoridis leaf extract on growth, survival, morphogenesis, and virulence gene expression of Candida albicans. Anticandidal activity was studied using the hole-plate method against four pathogenic C. albicans strains from clinical isolates. The effect of the extract on the growth profile of the yeast was also examined via a time-kill assay. Microscopic observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were made to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of C. albicans. Quantitative changes in phospholipase, hemolysin, and secreted aspartyl proteinase (SAP1 and SAP10) genes expression as virulence factors were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The extract exhibited high anticandidal activity, with the zones of inhibition between 0.5 and 6 cm, and recorded a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 30 mg/mL. The time-kill study suggested that the extract possessed yeasticidal properties at higher concentrations and eradicated the growth of yeast cells. The SEM and TEM micrographs exhibited major abnormalities that occurred on the yeast cells after being exposed to the extract, resulting in complete alterations in their morphology and collapse of the cells beyond repair. At MIC concentration, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin gene expression was reduced to 90%, 70%, 90% for SAP1, and 40% for SAP10, respectively, compared to that obtained from untreated C. albicans, as demonstrated by quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis. The P. dioscoridis leaf extract may be an effective anticandidal agent to treat pathogenic yeast infections.