Evaluation of anti-fungal activity of selected medicinal plant seed extracts of India

Abstract

In the present study aqueous, acetone, petroleum ether and chloroform solvents extracts of 6 selected plant seeds (Acacia catechu, Sida cordifolia, Momordica fotida, Albiziz procera, Mesua ferrea and Lantana camare ) are screened for their anti-fungal potential against 4 important fungal species(Candida albicans, Cryptococcus luteotus, Aspergillus niger and Mucor heimalis). Among the six plant seed extracts tested, petroleum ether and acetone extracts showed highest to moderate levels of anti-fungal activity when compared to standard anti-fungal drugs (fluconazole(1mg/ml) and Amphotericin B (150 Units/disc).). The chloroform extracts of Albizia procera seed extract failed to inhibit the growth of Candida and Cryptococcus species. Among the solvent extracts tested, petroleum ether recorded highest significant anti-fungal activity when compared to aqueous, chloroform and acetone extracts.