Abstract

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ROOT OF KASAMARDA (CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS LINN.)

Dr. Sanjay Talmale, Dr. Nikhil Paikrao* and Dr. Mamta Shirbhate

Abstract

Kasamarda (Cassia occidentalis) is a flowering plant of Leguminosae Family. It has been used in the indigenous system of medicine since long time. It increases digestive power and clears the obstruction of the throat. Antifungal activity was tested against three fungi. The various Concentrations (3.12%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100% mg/ml) of the water, ethanol, methanol, chloroform and benzene extracts were tested. Evaluations were based on the zone of inhibition using Agar disc diffusion assay. The inhibitory activity was found to be dose dependent. fluconazole used as standard for antifungal activity. From this study, it was evident that water extract and ethanol extracts of Cassia occidentalis Linn. has antifungal activity. Among different extracts from root of Cassia occidentalis, i e. water, ethanol, methanol, chloroform & benzene ethanol exhibited highest antifungal activity.

Keywords: Kasamarda, Antifungal, Candida albicans, Rhodoturola glutinis, Aspergillus niger.