The present study aims to determine the anti-fungal activity of combined and individual effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Kacholam (Kaempferia galangal) against Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes by agar well disc diffusion method. Extract from these spices showed remarkable antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and C. albicans.
Clove exhibits significant antifungal activity against all the microorganisms tested. Cinnamon showed good inhibitory effect against T. mentagrophytes and C. albicans whereas kacholam showed an inhibitory effect against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. Thus, the study concluded that individual effect of spices is better than the combinatorial effect against all the fungus tested.
Spices have been used as food and flavouring agent since the ancient times, and as a medicine in the recent decades. Now it is widely used across the globe as they possess great potential in the treatment of various diseases. It can serve as a better alternative to the modern synthetic drugs due to its lack of side effects and possible role in a wide range of therapeutic application.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Review of Literature
- 3. Materials and Methods
- 4. Results
- 4.1 Screening of DMSO (Negative control) and standard drugs (Positive control)
- 4.2 Determination of antifungal effects of clove, cinnamon, kacholam against T. mentagrophytes
- 4.3 Determination of antifungal effects of clove, cinnamon, kacholam against T. rubrum
- 4.4 Determination of antifungal effects of clove, cinnamon, kacholam against C. albicans
- 4.5 Determination of combinatorial effects of clove, cinnamon, kacholam against pathogenic fungi
- 5. Discussion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this study was to investigate the anti-fungal activity of traditional spices (clove, cinnamon, and kacholam) against dermatophytes (T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum) and the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans. The study also aimed to compare the combinatorial effects of these spices.
- Anti-fungal properties of clove, cinnamon, and kacholam.
- Comparative efficacy of the spices against different fungal strains.
- Synergistic or antagonistic effects of combining the spices.
- Evaluation of the potential of these spices as natural antifungal agents.
- Contribution to the understanding of traditional medicine applications.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the study's background, highlighting the increasing prevalence of fungal infections and the need for new antifungal agents. It establishes the rationale for exploring the antifungal potential of traditional spices, emphasizing their historical use and potential advantages over synthetic drugs. The chapter clearly states the study's objectives and outlines the research methodology.
2. Review of Literature: This section provides a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge on dermatophytes, opportunistic fungi (specifically C. albicans), and the antifungal properties of the selected spices (clove, cinnamon, and kacholam). It lays the groundwork for the study by discussing the mechanisms of action of these spices and reviewing previous research on their antifungal efficacy. The review contextualizes the current study within the broader field of natural antifungal research.
3. Materials and Methods: This chapter details the materials used and the procedures followed in the study. It describes the preparation of the spice extracts, the fungal strains used, the media preparation, the antifungal screening methods, and the statistical analysis techniques employed. This section is crucial for the reproducibility of the study’s findings, providing a clear and comprehensive account of the experimental design.
4. Results: This chapter presents the quantitative and qualitative findings of the study. It includes detailed data on the antifungal activity of individual spices and their combinations against the selected fungal strains. The results are presented in tables and figures, showing zone of inhibition measurements and graphical representations of the antifungal effects. The chapter focuses on presenting the experimental data objectively, without interpretation or discussion.
5. Discussion: This chapter will offer a detailed interpretation of the results presented in Chapter 4. It will compare the antifungal efficacy of the individual spices and their combinations, analyzing the synergistic and antagonistic interactions observed. The discussion section will analyze the mechanisms underlying the observed antifungal activity, relate the findings to existing literature, and discuss the limitations of the study. It will explore the implications of the results for the potential use of these spices as natural antifungal agents and highlight avenues for future research.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Antifungal activity, traditional spices, clove, cinnamon, kacholam, dermatophytes, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, combinatorial effects, natural antifungal agents, medicinal plants.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview of Antifungal Study
What is the main objective of this study?
The primary objective is to investigate the antifungal activity of three traditional spices – clove, cinnamon, and kacholam – against dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum) and the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans. The study also aims to assess the combinatorial effects of these spices.
What are the key themes explored in this research?
Key themes include the antifungal properties of the individual spices, a comparison of their efficacy against different fungal strains, the identification of any synergistic or antagonistic effects when the spices are combined, and an evaluation of their potential as natural antifungal agents. The study also contributes to a better understanding of traditional medicine applications.
Which fungal strains were tested?
The study tested the antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Candida albicans.
What are the chapter summaries?
The study is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction and background information. Chapter 2 reviews existing literature on dermatophytes, opportunistic fungi, and the antifungal properties of the spices. Chapter 3 details the materials and methods used in the research. Chapter 4 presents the results of the antifungal testing, and Chapter 5 discusses the findings, interpretations, and implications.
How were the antifungal effects determined?
The research involved screening the spices against the fungal strains using methods described in detail in Chapter 3. This likely includes measuring the zone of inhibition (the area around the spice extract where fungal growth is prevented).
What are the key findings (without going into specific numerical data)?
Chapter 4 presents quantitative and qualitative data on the antifungal activity of the individual spices and their combinations. This data likely shows the extent to which each spice (and their combinations) inhibited the growth of the tested fungi.
What is the significance of the study?
This research contributes to the exploration of natural antifungal agents, potentially offering alternatives to synthetic drugs. The findings could inform the development of new antifungal treatments and increase our understanding of traditional medicine.
What are the limitations of the study (as mentioned in the preview)?
Specific limitations are not detailed in this preview, but the full discussion (Chapter 5) will likely address such limitations.
Where can I find the full study?
This is a preview; the full study would need to be obtained from the publishing company.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include antifungal activity, traditional spices, clove, cinnamon, kacholam, dermatophytes, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, combinatorial effects, natural antifungal agents, and medicinal plants.
- Quote paper
- Dr. R. Mohanan (Author), S. Thomas (Author), S. P. Jose (Author), S. Sreevallabhan (Author), Dr. S. Sukumaran (Author), Dr. G. Bhaskaran Nair (Author), A. Sukumarapillai (Author), S. Rajan (Author), J. Joseph (Author), 2020, Anti-fungal activity of traditional spices against dermatophytes and opportunistic fungi. Comparison of combinatorial effects of clove, cinnamon and kacholam, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/953223
