Abstract

ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI EXTRACT AGAINST MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT FUNGAL SPECIES

Sayan Paul, Piyali Karmakar, Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri*, Partha Guchhait and Satadal Das

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Abstract

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) fungi have become widely prevalent across the world, leading to a high morbidity and mortality due to fungal infections. Moreover, no new antifungal agents have been developed in the recent years. In this study, we explored the possible antifungal activity of a plant from higher altitude Himalayan region, N. jatamansi against MDR and ATCC fungal strains. Anti-fungal activities of 70% ethanolic extract of N. jatamansi was studied against Candida albicans (ATCC), Candida parapsilosis (ATCC), Candida gulliermondii (MDR) and Candida glabrata (MDR) along with alcohol control in two steps - at first by disc diffusion technique to check the efficiency of the extract, and then the calculation of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) by serial dilution in Mueller Hinton broth. The extract that is under examination, showed antifungal activities with MIC varying between 2.77 and 12.24 mg/ mL for both MDR and the ATCC strains. The 70% ethanolic extract of N. jatamansi is effective as an antifungal agent on MDR strains and proper use of this phytochemical extract may help in saving lives of many critically ill patients.

Keywords: Nardostachys jatamansi, MDR strains, antifungal activity, MIC value, phytochemicals, Candida spp., Broth dilution method.