The present study investigates the antifungal potential of Aloe vera L. whole leaf and inner gel extracts obtained from both in vivo grown and in vitro regenerated plants against clinically significant fungal pathogens. The selected fungal strains included Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium digitatum, Candida albicans, and Candida utilis. Various solvent extracts, namely n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts, were prepared and evaluated using the disc diffusion method, while Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by agar dilution technique. The results demonstrated that all solvent extracts, except aqueous extracts, exhibited significant antifungal activity against the tested pathogens. Among them, ethyl acetate extracts showed the highest zone of inhibition, followed by methanol, chloroform, and n-hexane extracts. Notably, extracts derived from in vitro regenerated plants, particularly inner gel extracts, displayed superior antifungal efficacy compared to in vivo samples. MIC analysis further confirmed that ethyl acetate extracts required the lowest concentration to inhibit fungal growth, indicating strong antifungal potency. The absence of activity in aqueous extracts suggests that bioactive antifungal compounds are more effectively extracted using organic solvents. The findings highlight the presence of potent phytochemicals in Aloe vera L. that contribute to its broad-spectrum antifungal activity. In conclusion, Aloe vera L. extracts, especially ethyl acetate fractions of in vitro regenerated inner gel, demonstrate promising antifungal properties and may serve as a potential natural source for the development of antifungal therapeutics targeting human pathogenic fungi.
Neelofar Khanam*1,2,3, G. K. Sharma3 (Fri,) studied this question.