Basil leaf extract and eugenol against isolates of Candida sp. causing oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS

Background Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic infection of the oral mucosa caused by Candida sp., frequently found in HIV/AIDS patients. Basil leaf extract (Ocimum sanctum Linn.), which contains eugenol, a compound believed to inhibit the growth of Candida sp. Objective To evaluate the antifungal effect of basil leaf extract (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) and eugenol compared to fluconazole against Candida sp. isolates. Methods Basil leaf extract (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) with doses equivalent to eugenol 800 µg/mL and 400 µg/mL, eugenol doses at 800 µg/mL and 400 µg/mL, which was then compared with fluconazole 25 µg/mL against 40 Candida sp. isolated stored from the oral cavity of HIV/AIDS patients. Results The average inhibition zone of fluconazole was 21.81 mm, the mean inhibition zone of eugenol with doses of 800 µg/mL and 400 µg/mL were 17.07 mm and 15.89 mm, and the mean inhibition zone of basil leaf extract (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) with doses equivalent to eugenol 800 µg/mL and 400 µg/mL were 14.87 mm and 14.01 mm (p = 0.001 and p < 0.05). Conclusion Fluconazole had a significantly higher inhibition zone against Candida albicans and Candida non-albicans isolates than basil leaf extract (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) and eugenol.