The efficacy of certain compositae species (Arctium lappa, Calendula officinalis and Echinacea purpurea) herbal extracts as compared to Nystatin, in the inhibition of in vitro growth of Candida albicans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of certain Compositae species herbal extracts (Arctium lappa, Calendula officinalis and Echinacea purpurea) in the inhibition of in vitro growth of Candida albicans as compared to nystatin in terms of the disc diffusion test. Candida albicans was obtained from the Department of Biotechnology (Technikon Natal). Three components were tested on Candida albicans: namely the herbal extracts which were the experimental group, nystatin which was the allopathic component serving as a positive control and the 62% ethanol which was the negative control. Commercially available herbal extracts of Arctium lappa, Calendula officinalis and Echinacea purpurea respectively, with an ethanol concentration of 62% v/v, were purchased from Parceval (Pty) Ltd. The herbal extracts were prepared according to the German Herbal Pharmacopoeia (1991) standards. Commercially available nystatin suspension was obtained from \ Bristol-Myers Squibb (Pty) Ltd, 62% (vlv) ethanol was prepared according to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (1991) standards. In carrying out the experiment, 5mm filter paper discs were placed on Sabouraud's dextrose agar plates which were streaked with Candida albicans. Thereafter 0.7 microlitres of the test and control substances were pipetted onto