[Anti candidal activity of echinophora platyloba against candida albicans and comparison with amphotricin]

ABSTRACT

Increasing usage of medical plants for medical treatment made for this branch of complementary medicine a unique place. This study evaluated the anti candidal activity of Echinophora platyloba extracts and amphotricin B against Candida albicans by micro broth dilution assay and Disc diffusion method. The synergism between amphotricin B and ethanolic extract of E. platyloba was assessed by micro broth dilution assay. Amphotricin B was diluted at concentration between 16-0.125 micro gram ml [-1]. Each tube contains 0.78 micro gram ml[-1] E. platyloba extract. The MIC and MBC of Amphotricin B was recorded. The MIC and MBC of ethanolic extract of E. platyloba and amphotricin B against C. albicans were 3125, 1560mg ml-1 and 2, 8mg ml-1 respectively. The MIC, MBC of amphotricin B decreased to 1, 2mg ml-1 when 0.78 micro gram ml[-1] of extract was added. Amphotricin B is a potent antifungal agent and MIC and MBC of E. platyloba is 780, 390 times less potent than amphotricin B, but usage the amphotricin B and E. platyloba extract in combination increased the potency of amphotricin B which shows a synergistic effect