Evidence supporting the use of: Naphthoquinones
For the health condition: Fungal Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Naphthoquinones, particularly compounds like lapachol (from the Pau d'Arco tree) and plumbagin (from Plumbago species), have been studied for their antifungal properties. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that naphthoquinones possess activity against a variety of pathogenic fungi, including Candida albicans and Aspergillus species. The mechanism of action is believed to involve the generation of reactive oxygen species, disruption of fungal cell membranes, and inhibition of essential fungal enzymes. However, despite promising laboratory results, there is limited clinical evidence supporting their efficacy and safety in treating human fungal infections. Most of the research remains at the preclinical or laboratory stage, and few, if any, well-conducted human trials have been published. Additionally, naphthoquinones can be cytotoxic to human cells, raising safety concerns for therapeutic use. While some traditional medicine systems have used plants containing naphthoquinones for antimicrobial purposes, the scientific community currently views their use for fungal infections as experimental, with more research needed to establish clinical benefits and safety profiles. Thus, the evidence supporting their use for fungal infections is limited and preliminary, meriting a score of 2 out of 5.

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