Synergistic Antifungal Activity ofCurcuma longa(Turmeric) andZingiber officinale(Ginger) Essential Oils Against Dermatophyte Infections

The antifungal potential of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) essential oils alone and in combinations, against common causes of tinea infections in humans was investigated via in vitro investigations, in order to determine a suitable dosage for use in clinical trials. Turmeric oil showed good antifungal activity (68 mm, MIC 1.6 μl/ml against Trichophyton rubrum and 5 6mm, MIC 1.4 μl/ml against Microsporum gypseum) while ginger oil had strong antifungal activity (72 mm, 0.05 μl/ml against T. rubrum and 69 mm, MIC 0.06 μl/ml against M. gypseum) and their mixture showed excellent antifungal activity (82 mm, MIC 0.02 μl/ml against T. rubrum and 79 mm, MIC 0.04 μl/ml against M. gypseum).The antifungal activity of oils was screened against T. rubrum and M. gypseum by using disc diffusion method and microdilution method. The inhibition zone of mixture of oils (turmeric and ginger) is higher than single oils and reference antibiotics i.e Clotrimazole (36 mm against T. rubrum, 41 ...