The augmentation of multidrug resistant strains of fungus owing to the indiscriminate use of existing antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of infectious diseases has spurred researchers in the field of ethno pharmacology to investigate for new antifungal agents from natural sources like plants. The present study was carried out with an objective to evaluate the antifungal activity of extracts of six plant species namely Flacourtia jangomas, Acalypha hispida, Hydnocarpus pentandra, Euphorbia mili, Lucuma nervosa and Couroupita guianensis against Candida tropicalis, an emerging Candida Non Albican species. The antifungal activity of methanolic extracts of different parts of the plant like leaf, flower, bark and root were evaluated using agar disc diffusion method. Significant antifungal activity was shown by Flacourtia jangomas, Hydnocarpus pentandra and Acalypha hispida. MIC values observed were 256µg/ml, 512µg/ml and >1024 µg/ml. Zone of inhibition of the extracts were compared with the standard Flucanazole. The phytochemical analysis carried out revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavanoids, terpenoids, tannins, steroids, glycosides and saponins in most of the plants. Phlobotannins was present in only one extract and amino acids were not detected from any of the plant extracts under study. Scientifically supported by the results obtained in this study it is hoped that these plants can be used as a better and novel therapeutic agent to treat fungal diseases.
