Comparative evaluation of antifungal efficacy and potency of soft liners incorporated with powder extracts of Lawsonia inermis and Withania somnifera on the growth of Candida albicans – An in vitro study

CONTEXT: Denture relining materials are soft and resilient materials used in the treatment of patients with denture soreness. Studies have concluded that rugged surface of the liners allows the sticking of the Candida albicans and later gives rise to a condition called denture-induced stomatitis. AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the antifungal efficacy and potency of denture soft liners incorporated with powder extract of Lawsonia inermis and Withania somnifera on the growth of C. albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 105 samples were taken in this in vitro study and was divided into three groups: To check for the antifungal activity with 35 samples each. L. inermis and W. somnifera powder extract were incorporated in soft liner at 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% concentration and the antifungal efficacy against C. albicans was tested by calculating the diameter of inhibition zone for 1, 7, and 14 days. Statistical analysis used: Subgroup analysis was carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Pair-wise comparisons were carried out through Tukey's multiple post hoc procedures. RESULTS: When comparison of four subgroups (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) was done with the mean zone of antifungal efficacy at 1st day, 7th day, and 14th day time points in both the groups by one-way ANOVA, statistically significant results were obtained with P of 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: L. inermis and W. somnifera natural herb extracts have shown to have antifungal activity against C. albicans and can be used as an alternative for the synthetic antifungal drugs.