The aim of this study is to screen leaves of Calotropis gigantea for the anti-Candida properties against four clinical isolates of Candida. Aqueous, methanol, ethanol and petroleum ether extracts of the leaves of Calotropis gigantea were screened against clinical isolate of Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. krusei. The in vitro anti-Candida assay was performed by agar well diffusion method in potato dextrose agar (PDA). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) test was performed by modified agar well diffusion assay in PDA. The inhibitory effect of aqueous extract on all four tested Candida species was significantly higher than the methanol, ethanol and petroleum ether extracts. Aqueous extract showed low MIC values against C. tropicalis (125 μg/ml), C. krusei (250 μg/ml) and C. albicans (500 ìg/ml), followed by the methanol extract against C. tropicalis, C. krusei (500 μg/ml) and petroleum ether extract against C. tropicalis (500 μg/ml). The results prove Calotropis gigantea as a potent source of natural anti-Candida compounds.
Cite this article :Gaurav Kumar, Loganathan Karthik and Kokati Venkata Bhaskara Rao,In vitro anti-Candida activity of Calotropis gigantea,Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(3),539-542.
Gaurav Kumar, Loganathan Karthik and Kokati Venkata Bhaskara Rao*.
Affiliation(s) Name:
*Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Bioscience and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, TN - 632 014, India
*Corresponding author. Dr. Kokati Venkata Bhaskara Rao Assistant Professor (Senior), Environmental Biotechnology Division School of Bioscience and Technology VIT University, Vellore, TN - 632 014, India
Received on: 17-11-2009; Revised on: 19-12-2009; Accepted on:08-02-2010