Abstract

Solanum torvum Sw. is a native plant of India found abundantly in North East. It has many medicinal properties and its berries are used to treat fungal infections by the natives of the study area. The efficacy of Solanum torvum Sw. was evaluated using both in vitro antimicrobial methods and in vivo model of vaginal Candida albicans infection. Two in vitro models, disc diffusion assay and micro dilution broth assay was used and in in vivo study laboratory female rats were used. In the disc diffusion assay highest concentration i.e. 200 mg/ml Solanum torvum Sw. methanolic extract dose shows larger inhibition zone of fungal growth than the other concentrations of extract. In the microdilution broth assay, 150 mg/ml concentration of extract shows highest fungal growth inhibition. Histological study was done by loading fungal conidia on vaginas of in vivo model (rat) where 600 mg/kg extract treated group showed complete reduction of fungal growth over vaginal epithelium and vaginal cavity. In result, this plant proves its efficacy in reducing the fungal load from vaginas of infected rat as well as showing good minimum inhibitory concentration and zone of inhibition at in vitro study. From the above study, it was clear that Solanum torvum Sw. showed promising positive result against Candida albicans.