Abstract

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS ON THE GROWTH OF CANDIDA ALBICANS

Ugwu C. C.*, Ezeonu I. M., Mbah-Omeje K., Agu C. G. and Onuorah S. C.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro effects of aqueous and ethanolic extract of four local plants: Alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and Ashanti pepper (Piper guineese) against the growth of Candida albicans. The antifungal activity was carried out by agar well diffusion method. The ethanolic extracts of these plants inhibited the growth of Candida albicans (6.25, 12.5,25, 50,100,150,200 and 500mg/ml) while the aqueous extract had no inhibition on the growth of the organism at all concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethanolic extract of these plants ranged from 6. 25-12.5mg/ml. The phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and saponins. This study shows that the ethanolic extracts of these plants can be used to treat fungal infections as alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Keywords: Antifungal activity, phytochemical, plant extract, Candida albicans and MIC.