Evaluation of the antifungal efficacy of different concentrations of Curcuma longa on Candida albicans: An in vitro study

BACKGROUND: Candidal infections have increased significantly in denture wearers, especially in immunocompromised patients. The increase in resistance to existing antifungal drugs and number of patients at risk, in conjunction with the restricted number of commercially available antifungal drugs that still present many side effects, are the cause for this problem. These limitations emphasize the need to develop new and more effective antifungal agents with lesser side effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible antifungal action of the alcoholic extract of different concentrations of Curcuma longa on four dilutions of Candida albicans (1:10, 1:20, 1:40 and 1:80) and to determine its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration using Sabouraud's agar medium. RESULTS: There was complete inhibition of the growth of all four dilutions of Candida at a concentration of 800 μl which is considered as the MIC of alcoholic extract of turmeric on C. albicans, and the minimum fungicidal concentration was at 1600 μl. CONCLUSION: This study indicates a potent antifungal action of C. longa against C. albicans.