Antifungal Activity of Allium Sativum L. and Mentha piperita L. against C.albicans from Clinical Samples

Abstract

Candida species are one of the most fatal fungal species which has detrimental effects on humans. Antifungal agents against these fungal species are slowly restricting their effect due to development of resistant species. Nowadays, antifungal agents of plant or microbial origin are gaining pace due to their easy development methods, less side effects and less complex metabolites produced y them. This study also focuses on two plant sources whose antifungal potency has been reported earlier against some fungal species. Allium sativum L bulbs and Mentha piperita L. leaves were extracted with ethanol and their active constituents were studied using GC-MS analysis. Antifungal activity of constituents and their time kill kinetic study have been done to evaluate their efficacy as antigungal agents. The results showed that Mentha piperita L. extract activity was strongest against C.albicanswith ZOI of 25.9±1.31mm quite comparable ZOI (34.9±0.36mm) of the positive control. This was followed by activity against C.glabrata(23.97±0.06). Allium sativum L. extract showed higher activity against C.albicans (23.8 ±1.31mm) and lesser effective against C.glabrata (20.57±0.67mm).MICs for Allium sativum L. and Mentha piperita L. extracts were determined to be 6.25 mg/ml and MFC 12.5 mg/ml in all cases.