Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis and Antifungal Activity of Azardirachta indica against Some Strains of Candida albicans

Abstract

This research work was focus on determining the quantitative phytochemical analysis and antifungal susceptibility of Azardirachta indica against some strains of Candida albicans. The leaves of Azardirachta indica was susccessively extracted using reflux method of extraction. Quantitative phytochemical screenings were done to determine the amounts of phytochemical that are present in the crude extracts. The result showed that the extract of Azardirachta indica (neem) possessed active principles which include: Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols and tannin which were present in the crude extracts. The antifungal activity of the extracts was assayed against three different strains (P37005, RM1000 & SC5314) The antifungal susceptibility test of the crude extracts against the strains were determined at different concentrations of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/ml using the agar well diffusion method. The n- hexane and methanol crude extract showed inhibitory activity compared to that of ethyl acetate that had no inhibitory activity. The highest mean zone of inhibition (MZI) was 15.00±1.00 mm which was recorded for n-hexane leaf extract at a concentration of 100 mg/ml against strain RM1000 (isolate: S2). Although the standard antibiotics (Fluconazole) used in this study showed a much higher zone of inhibition than that of the n-hexane and methanol crude extract. The MIC and MFC value for n-hexane crude extracts were 12.5 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml respectively against strain P37005 (Isolate:S1)likewise, the n-hexane crude extract had a value of 6.25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml. However, the methanol crude extract showed a value of 6.25 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml respectively against SC5314 (isolate:S3).