Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils from Indian Medicinal Plants Against Human Pathogenic Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger

Oils extracted from fifteen medicinal plants were screened for their activity against A. fumigatus and A. niger by disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of oils (%v/v) against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger done by agar dilution method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum cidal concentration (MCCs) data (%v/v) obtained by the broth micro dilution method. The results showed that the maximum antimycotic activity was demonstrated by oils of Cymbopogon martini, Eucalyptus globulus and Cinnamomum zylenicum as compared to control, followed by Cymbopogon citratus which showed activity similar to control (miconazole nitrate). The oils of Mentha spicata, Azadirachta indica, Eugenia caryophyllata, Withania somnifera and Zingiber officinale exhibited moderate activity. The oils of Cuminum cyminum, Allium sativum, Ocimum sanctum, Trachyspermum copticum, Foeniculum vulgare and Elettaria cardamomum demonstrated comparatively low activity against A. niger and A. fumigatus as compared to control. Mixed oils showed maximum activity as compared to standard. These results support the plant oils can be used to cure mycotic infections and plant oils may have role as pharmaceutical and preservatives.