Antifungal properties of soleshine - An in vitro study

Background: Soleshine is a polyherbal formulation meant to be used to heal cracks on heels, protecting sole from chaffs, marketed by Rumi Herbal Pvt Ltd., Chennai. The active ingriedients are Azadirachta indica, Lawsonia alba, Shorea robusta, Ricinus communis, and Sesamum indicum, which were well known for their antimicrobial activity. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antifungal activity of the ingredients and to evaluate the synergistic activity present in the preparation. Materials and Methods: The plant materials were procured, dried, powdered, and sequentially extracted. The organisms were collected and evaluated the antifungal activity with disc diffusion method for all individual extracts and in combination of different extracts. Sabouraud dextrose agar, culture medium was used for the growth of fungal organism. The minimum inhibitory activity was observed with resazurin method. Clotrimazole, an antifungal drug, belongs to azole group was taken as a standard negative control. Results: The zone of inhibition was determined by disc diffusion method where it shows the inhibition of growth of fungal organism. The same experiment was repeated totally for 6 times and analyzed with SPSS software in May 2017, found that significant (P < 0.05). The minimum amount of extract required to inhibit the growth was determined by resazurin dye method where the color change (oxidation-reduction reaction) implies the viability of fungi. Conclusion: The formulation has an antifungal activity in all the extracts and maximum activity was with aqueous extract, and also, it shows synergistic activity in combination which quotes the additive effect.