In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Kasmarda (Cassia occidentalis L.) against Tinea corporis

Abstract Background: Kasmarda ( Cassia occidentalis Linn.) is widely used in Ayurveda and folk medicine for treating skin ailments. It commonly grows as a weed or shrub in tropical and subtropical regions. Scientific findings support its traditional use in treating fungal infections, particularly those caused by dermatophytes. The purpose of this study is to verify the practicality of the abovementioned scientific findings with the help of the in vitro method and check the efficacy of Kasmarda against fungal infections. Materials and Methods: The sample of C. occidentalis L. was procured from field, authenticated, and further dried in a controlled setting. In order to confirm the species, the samples were examined under a Quasmo trinocular microscope. To evaluate the antifungal potential of procured sample, in vitro study was performed, and observations were recorded accordingly. Results: The antifungal activity of C. occidentalis L. was evaluated against three pathogenic fungi: Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum , and Candida albicans. The results were assessed based on the zone of inhibition for various extracts of plant’s leaf, root, and seed at different concentrations. The study also includes evaluation on the basis of extract types, concentration dependence, fungal susceptibility, and IC50 values along with its comparison with standard drug. Conclusion: This study is a useful resource for standardizing and ensuring the antifungal activity of C. occidentalis L. in pharmaceutical and herbal medicine formulations for fungal skin infections.