Aim: To evaluate antimicrobial ability of neem leaf extract, 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and
2% chlorhexidine (CHX) against
Candida albicans
.
Methods: Neem leaf extract was prepared
by using absolute ethanol with fresh neem leaves, filtering the extract through muslin cloth, coarse
residue and filter paper. Cultures of
C. albicans were maintained on Brain Heart Infusion broth
and Agar. The antimicrobial efficacy was checked using the Agar Diffusion and the zones of
inhibition were measured. The results were statistically analysed using ANOVA test. Inter-group
comparison was checked using Kruskal Wallis ANOVA and Mann Whitney tests (a=0.05).
Results:
There was statistically significant difference between the zones of inhibition seen with 3% NaOCl
and Neem extract with 2% CHX (p<0.05). There was no significant difference observed between
Neem extract and 3% NaOCl.
Conclusions: Efficacy of Neem extract is comparable to 3%
NaOCl against
C. albicans and it is significantly better than 2% CHX.
