A. Apisariyakul et al., ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF TURMERIC OIL EXTRACTED FROM CURCUMA-LONGA (ZINGIBERACEAE), Journal of ethnopharmacology, 49(3), 1995, pp. 163-169
Turmeric oil and curcumin, isolated from Curcuma longa L., were studie
d against fifteen isolates of dermatophytes, four isolates of pathogen
ic molds and six isolates of yeasts. The inhibitory activity of turmer
ic oil was tested in Trichophyton-induced dermatophytosis in guinea pi
gs. The results showed that all 15 isolates of dermatophytes could be
inhibited by turmeric oil at dilutions of 1:40-1:320. None of the isol
ates of dermatophytes were inhibited by curcumin. The other four isola
tes of pathogenic fungi were inhibited by turmeric oil at dilutions of
1:40-1:80 but none were inhibited by curcumin. All six isolates of ye
asts tested proved to be insensitive to both turmeric oil and curcumin
. In the experimental animals, turmeric oil (dilution 1:80) was applie
d by dermal application on the 7th day following dermatophytosis induc
tion with Trichophyton rubrum. An improvement in lesions was observed
in 2-5 days and the lesions disappeared 6-7 days after the application
of turmeric oil.