Selective antifungal action of crude extracts of Cassia fistula L.: A preliminary study on Candida and Aspergillus species

Preliminary studies on the phytochemicals and extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, methanol and aqueous of Cassia fistula leaves were examined for antifungal activity using agar cup and broth dilution methods. Although all five extracts showed promising antifungal activity against Candida albicans (12.6 mm), C. krusei (13.3 mm), C. parapsilosis (14.0 mm), and C. tropicalis (14.3 mm), yet maximum activity was observed in methanol extract followed by ethanol and aqueous extracts. Petroleum ether and ethanol extracts, showed zone of inhibition against all the three species of Aspergillus with highest zone of inhibition for A. fumigatus (12.0 mm). MIC values for most of the extracts ranged from 0.75 to 3.0 mg/mL; while the least MFC value was observed at 6.0 mg/mL. Result of MFC showed that at concentration 6.0 mg/mL, 75% of the test Candida species were killed while rests 25% were inhibited at same concentration. Phytochemical analysis exhibited the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, protein and amino acids, saponins and triterpenoids in different extracts. These results reveal the antifungal activity of C. fistula leaves extracts which may be useful in treatment of candidiasis and aspergillosis. However, further studies with purified fractions or bioactive compounds responsible for antifungal activity need to be evaluated.