ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF TURMERIC OIL EXTRACTED FROM CURCUMA-LONGA (ZINGIBERACEAE)

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.