Abstract

Pongamia pinnata is used in Sri Lankan traditional medicinal systems to cure diseases including microbial infections. Different parts of this plant were investigated for in vitro anti-candidal activity. Extracts of bark, roots and leaves of P. pinnata were examined for their activity on different Candida spp. using well diffusion assay. The extract with best activity was evaluated for its minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using agar dilution method. Its effects on germ tube formation, germ tube elongation and relative cell surface hydrophobicity were determined. The best activity was shown by the root extract of P. pinnata. Neither bark nor leaf showed positive activity. MICs of the root extracts ranged from 1.6 to 12.8 mg/ml. The treatment with root extract of P. pinnata inhibited the germ tube formation, germ tube elongation and relative cell surface hydrophobicity in a dose dependent manner. The results reveal the significant anti-candidal activity of root extracts of P. pinnata.

Key words: Anti-candidal, Pongamia pinnata, Candida, germ tube, cell surface hydrophobicity.