Fig. 4

Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the vaginal epithelial cells. SEM of the control cells (A), C. albicans infected cells at 6 h (B), C. albicans infected cells at 12 h (C) and treated cells (D), the latter represents the vaginal epithelial cells infected with C. albicans for 12 h, then treated with 20 µg/mL Baofukang suppository for another 24 h. Fusion of the microvilli-like structures forming membrane leaflets that envelop the invading hyphal cells is indicated by the red arrow; damaged cell debris is indicated by the white arrow; pseudohyphae elements “engulfed” into vaginal epithelial cells are indicated by yellow arrows; a budding spore is indicated by blue arrows