Antifungal effects of natural extracts on Candida albicans.

Abstract

Fungal infections caused by Candida albicans present significant challenges in clinical settings owing to rising resistance to conventional antifungal treatments. Natural products derived from medicinal plants, including tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), garlic (Allium sativum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), are increasingly recognized for their potential antimicrobial properties and as alternative sources of antifungal therapies. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of Tulsi, Garlic, Cinnamon and Lemongrass extracts against Candida albicans using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Natural extracts from Tulsi, Garlic, Cinnamon and Lemongrass demonstrated varying degrees of antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Tulsi emerged as the most effective, followed by garlic and cinnamon, whereas lemongrass showed comparatively lower efficacy. These findings underscore Tulsi's potential as a potent natural antifungal agent and warrant further exploration of its therapeutic applications in fungal infections.