title: Invitro Anti-mycotic Activity of Hydro Alcoholic Extracts of Some Indian Medicinal Plants against Fluconazole Resistant Candida albicans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Candidiasis is one of the most common opportunistic infections caused by Candida albicans. Fluconazole is the drug of choice for prevention and management of this condition. However, the emergence of fluconazole resistant candidal strains has become a major concern. Many herbs like fenugreek, cinnamon, papaya, oregano, garlic are rich in phytochemical constituents known to express antimycotic activity. With the available information, the present research study was carried out to assess the invitro anti-mycotic activity of hydro alcoholic extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds, Cinnamomum verum bark and Carica papaya leaves and seeds against fluconazole resistant Candida albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hydro alcoholic extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum (seeds), Cinnamomum verum (bark), Carica papaya CO.2 strain (male and female leaves) and Carica papaya CO.2 strain (seeds) were prepared by maceration. The anti-mycotic activity of the prepared extracts against Candida albicans was assessed by agar well diffusion method. Three independent experiments were performed in triplicates and the mean and standard deviation were calculated. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the present study revealed that all the extracts exhibited anti-mycotic activity in a dose dependent manner and minimum inhibitory concentration of all the extracts was found to be 15.62 μg/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study shed light on the fact that plant extracts could be used not only as an alternate drug for management of fluconazole resistant candidiasis but also explored further for oral cancer prevention as a therapeutic adjunct.
authors.affiliation: Senior Research Fellow, Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dental sciences, Sri Ramachandra University , Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Saranya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varadarajan
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University , Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Malathi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narasimhan
authors.affiliation: Research Scholar, Center for Advanced Studies in Botany, Guindy Campus, University of Madras , Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Malaiyandi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaisamy
authors.affiliation: Principal, College of Pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra University .
authors.forename: Chamundeeswari
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duraipandian
keywords: Carica papaya; Cinnamomum verum; Trigonella foenum graecum