title: Antifungal efficacy of three medicinal plantsGlycyrrhiza glabra,Ficus religiosa, andPlantago majoragainst oralCandida albicans: A comparative analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  From ancient times, plants with medicinal values are being tested and used in the treatment of various infectious diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present in vitro study was designed to assess the antifungal activity of three commonly available medicinal plants Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ficus religiosa, and Plantago major on inhibiting oral Candida albicans in comparison to standard antifungal agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bark of G. glabra, stem of F. religiosa, and husk of P. major were collected, crushed into fine powder, and dissolved in 67% ethanol. Extracts were subjected to antifungal efficacy test against oral C. albicans (ATCC 66027) using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Mean zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured by HI antibiotic zone scale. One-way ANOVA using Tukey's post hoc and t-test were applied for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  G. glabra was found to be most effective among the three with highest mean ZOI measuring 19.8 ± 0.83, 19.4 ± 0.54, and 18.2 ± 1.09 at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Tukey's post hoc test showed statistically nonsignificant difference between antifungal activity of F. religiosa and P. major with itraconazole 10 mcg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  G. glabra, F. religiosa, and P. major showed acceptable potency against C. albicans (ATCC 66027) comparable to that of synthetic antifungal agents. However, further studies should be undertaken to affirm the same and test their efficacy in different concentrations and clinical utility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Rungta College of Dental Science and Research, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Hunny
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Rungta College of Dental Science and Research, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: G Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Yunus
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Rungta College of Dental Science and Research, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Rungta College of Dental Science and Research, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Rungta College of Dental Science and Research, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Supriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattar
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D030681:Ficus; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010943:Plantago
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts