Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Lamiaceae) on clinically isolated dermatophytic fungi.

OBJECTIVE

To assess antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves against dermatophytic fungi.

METHODS

Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves was measured by 38 A NCCLS method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of various extracts and fractions of Ocimum sanctum leaves were also determined.

RESULTS

Ocimum sanctum leaves possessed antifungal activity against clinically isolated dermatophytes at the concentration of 200 μg/mL. MIC and MFC were high with water fraction (200 μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi used.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocimum sanctum has antifungal activity, and the leaf extracts may be a useful source for dermatophytic infections.