Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove) Extracts Demonstrate Superior Antifungal Activity Compared to Conventional Drugs Against Clinical Oral Candida Isolates from Gharyan, Libya: A Comparative In Vitro Study

Background The escalating challenge of antifungal resistance and the side effects associated with conventional drugs have intensified the search for natural alternatives. This study investigated the efficacy of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extracts compared to standard antifungal agents against clinical oral Candida isolates from Libyan patients. Methods Five Candida species ( C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis ) were isolated from patients in Gharyan City, Libya. The antifungal susceptibility to Amphotericin B, Miconazole, and Nystatin was tested using the disc diffusion method. The activity of aqueous and alcoholic clove extracts (25%, 50%, 100%) and pure clove oil (Eugenol) was evaluated using a well-diffusion assay. Results Among conventional antifungals, Amphotericin B was the most effective (Mean Inhibition Zone: 27.83 ± 5.22 mm), followed by Miconazole (22.43 ± 6.50 mm) and Nystatin (20.60 ± 3.70 mm). Remarkably, clove extracts demonstrated superior activity. The 100% aqueous clove extract showed the highest overall efficacy (53.93 ± 27.82 mm), significantly outperforming all conventional drugs (p < 0.001). The 100% alcoholic extract was also highly effective (41.40 ± 9.83 mm). Clove oil showed no inhibitory activity. Efficacy was concentration-dependent and species-specific. For instance, C. glabrata was highly susceptible to aqueous extracts (90.00 mm inhibition at 100%), while C. krusei showed relative resilience, responding similarly to both clove extracts and conventional drugs. Conclusion Clove extracts, particularly aqueous preparations at high concentrations, exhibit potent and broad-spectrum antifungal activity against clinical oral Candida isolates, surpassing standard antifungals. These findings position Syzygium aromaticum as a highly promising, naturally sourced candidate for developing new therapeutic or preventive strategies against oral candidiasis, especially in regions where access to conventional medicine is limited.