Antifungal effects of natural extracts on Candida albicans

Fungal infections caused by <i>Candida albicans</i> present significant challenges in clinical settings owing to rising resistance to conventional antifungal treatments. Natural products derived from medicinal plants, including tulsi (<i>Ocimum sanctum</i>), garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i>), cinnamon (<i>Cinnamomum verum</i>) and lemongrass (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>), are increasingly recognized for their potential antimicrobial properties and as alternative sources of antifungal therapies. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of Tulsi, Garlic, Cinnamon and Lemongrass extracts against <i>Candida albicans</i> using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Natural extracts from Tulsi, Garlic, Cinnamon and Lemongrass demonstrated varying degrees of antifungal activity against <i>Candida albicans</i>. Tulsi emerged as the most effective, followed by garlic and cinnamon, whereas lemongrass showed comparatively lower efficacy. These findings underscore Tulsi's potential as a potent natural antifungal agent and warrant further exploration of its therapeutic applications in fungal infections.