Background: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is posing a global challenge for human health. Opportunistic Candida species have developed resistance to a wide range of antifungals. The increasing clinical prevalence of multidrug-resistant Candida species such as C. glabrata highlights the potential for fungi to pose a serious future threat if we fail to steward and deploy novel antifungal treatments. Moringa oleifera is a native Indian tree belonging to Moringaceae family, commonly known as “drumstick” or “horseradish” tree M. oleifera leaves contain b-carotene, vitamin E, and protein and its seeds contain bioactive related molecules, such as flavonoid, isothiocyanates, glucosinolate, and thiocarbamate.

Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaf and seed extract against C.albicans and C. glabrata.

Methods: Aqueous and ethanolic extract of dry powdered leaves and seeds of M. oleifera was prepared and the antifungal activity of the Moringa oleifera leaf extracts was determined using agar well diffusion method. Their zones of inhibition were compared with standard antifungal, 1% clotrimazole.

Results: The zone of inhibition against C. albicans was greater for the ethanolic extract of M. oleifera seed (22mm) when compared to ethanolic M. oleifera leaf extract (19mm) and their aqueous extracts ( 13mm, 14mm respectively). The zone of inhibition against C. glabrata was more for ethanolic extract of M. oleifera seed (21mm) when compared to ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaf extract (20mm) and their aqueous extracts ( 14mm, 13mm respectively).

Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of M. oleifera seed showed the highest antifungal activity against C. albicans and C.glabrata.