Assessment of Antifungal Properties of the Exudate Gel from the Stem of Caralluma retrospiciens Against Clinical Isolate of Candida albicans

Abstract

The desert plant C. retrospiciens (Ehrenb.) is an inhabitant of the southern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The stem of C. retrospiciens produces a gel which is often applied by local people to cure wounds. This study was aimed at determination of the antifungal effect of the exudate gel (EG) against Candida albicans (C. albicans). The antifungal activity of EG was measured using agar well diffusion method. Results showed excellent antifungal activity of the exudate gel. The spectrum of antifungal activity of EG against C. albicans was almost equivalent to that of standard amphotericin B, with statistical insignificance (p < 0.05).