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Anticandidial and anticryptococcal activity of Euphorbia fusiformis, a rare medicinal plant

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Abstract

The present work demonstrates the screening of extracts of the rare medicinal herb Euphorbia fusiformis for antifungal activity. The main aim was to investigate its antifungal properties against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, the causative agents of human candidiasis and cryptococcosis, respectively. Aqueous and organic solvent extracts from the leaves and rootstock of the plant were tested against the fungi by the well-in-agar method. Almost all the organic solvent extracts exhibited an inhibitory effect against C. albicans and to some extent on C. neoformans, except for the aqueous extracts, which had no effect. The combined formulations of the extracts also had better activity against C. albicans than C. neoformans. This study thus concludes by demonstrating the antifungal properties of E. fusiformis and also the potential research in identifying the active principles, which may have future therapeutic value.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Forest officials of Harur Forest Division for their expert guidance in the collection of plant materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Kandaswami Kandar’s College, Velur, 638 182, Tamil Nadu, India

    D. Natarajan & C. Mohanasundari

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Kurinji College of Arts and Science, Tiruchirappalli, 620 002, Tamil Nadu, India

    N. Nagamurugan

  3. Forests Utilisation Division, Tamil Nadu Forests Department, Chennai, 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India

    A. Ramachandran

  4. Department of Biology, Eritrea Institute of Technology, MaiNethi, Asmara, Eritrea, North East Africa

    K. Srinivasan

  5. 30, Chavadi Lane, Keela North Street, Thuraiyur, Tiruchirappalli, 621 010, Tamil Nadu, India

    D. Natarajan

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  1. D. Natarajan
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  2. N. Nagamurugan
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  3. A. Ramachandran
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  4. C. Mohanasundari
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  5. K. Srinivasan
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Correspondence to D. Natarajan.

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Natarajan, D., Nagamurugan, N., Ramachandran, A. et al. Anticandidial and anticryptococcal activity of Euphorbia fusiformis, a rare medicinal plant. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 23, 719–721 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-006-9275-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-006-9275-5

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