Antifungal Activities of Azardirachta indica Crude Extracts and Fractions against Strain 1161, P37005 and RM1000

Abstract

Azardirachta indica (neem) has served as an alternative medicine in the treatment of some common illnesses that have being associated to man. Azardirachta indica have proven effectively against certain fungi species that can infect human beings and cause disease. This study was aimed at determining the antifungal activities of Azardirachta indica crude extracts and fractions against certain Candida albicans strains: P37005, RM1000 and Strain1161. The reflux method was used for successive extraction of Azardirachta indica leaves which was done by three solvents namely: n- hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The leaves of Azardirachta indica was assayed for its phytochemicals components which was determined quantitatively. However, the various strains were subjected to the crude extracts of Azardirachta indica at a varying concentration of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/ml. The activity of n- hexane and methanol crude extracts had higher zones of inhibition than that of ethyl acetate crude extracts. The n- hexane crude extract showed a minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) value of 12.5 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml respectively against the tested strain of P37005(Isolate B4). The value of 6.25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml were also observed for the n- hexane crude extract against strain RM 1000(Isolate B2). Whereas, the methanol crude extract presented a value of 6.25 mg/ml and 100mg/ml respectively against strain RM1000(Isolate B2). More so, the antifungal activities of the fractions were determined at a concentration of 5mg/ml and 10 mg/ml which showed inhibition for all the strains. The n-hexane fraction F3 of Azardirachta indica had an MIC and MFC value of 12.5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml against P37005(IsolateB4). The value for the methanol fractions(F6) of Azardirachta indica against strain 1161(Isolate S5) was 3.125 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml. It is obvious from this study that the antifungal activities of the crudes and fractions used were less in activity compared to the standard antibiotics(fluconazole).