Antifungal efficacy of different extracts of neem and turmeric on candida species – An in vitro analysis

Abstract

Background: Curcumin is an age-old spice, which is known for its anti-inflammatory activity and antibacterial property, and neem is proven to have many medicinal properties, especially known for its antimicrobial properties. Aim: The study aimed at assessing the antifungal activity of different preparations of turmeric and neem over Candida species. Materials and Methods: Using Sabouraud's agar as the medium, Candida species colonies were transferred to the agar plates after preparation of five wells. 75 μl, 50 μl, 25 μl, 10 μl, and 5 μl of neem leaf oil, neem oil, turmeric oil, turmeric extract, and neem seed oil were added and incubated at 37°C for 18–24 h. The diameter of inhibition zone around the wells where the growth was inhibited corresponded to the antifungal activity. Results: Neem bark extract and turmeric extract showed the highest inhibitory range against Candida albicans. Neem leaf extract showed the highest range of inhibition at 75% against Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. Conclusion: Extracts of turmeric and neem have shown definitive inhibition against different strains of candida in vitro, and hence, these can be used for treating candidiasis as an alternative to regular triazoles.