Abstract
This study aimed to define the efficacy of clove's oil and its aqueous extract against dermatophytes clinical isolates in comparison to some antifungal drugs namely, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine and griseofulvin, by using the in vitro susceptibility test. Terbinafine was found to have the highest potency against all isolates, with an MIC median range of 0.002-0.5 mu g/mL. Itraconazole, ketoconazole and griseofulvin revealed comparable good antifungal potency in terms of MIC, 0.05 - 0.5 mu g/mL, 0.25 - 0.5 mu g/mL, and 0.5 - 1 mu g/mL respectively. fluconazole displayed the least antifungal efficacy (2 - 8 mu g/mL). MIC results for Syzygium aromaticum oil and clove aqueous extract were 1.25-2 mu g/mL and 125 mu g/mL respectively. It was concluded that Syzygium aromaticum oil exhibited a significant antifungal efficacy while, the aqueous extract did not reveal such antifungal potential. This may be due to the hydrophobicity of most of the active ingredients.