Anti-dermatophyte activity of the aqueous extracts of Thai medicinal plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants have long been prescribed in Thailand for centuries. Different constituents of extracts have been used for treating of various infectious diseases. However, there is even less information available regarding the use in fungal skin infection. In order to assess traditional Thai claims about the therapeutic potential, this study is focused on exploring the anti-dermatophyte property of the plants that are currently used as traditional medicines. The potential of four different plant species were selected for investigate in vitro anti-dermatophyte activity. Ethanolic extracts of Chromolaena odorata (L.), Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.), Eclipta prostrate (Linn.), and Acorus calamus (L.). were analysed for their total phenolic content as well as total flavonoid content and were then subjected to test of their anti-dermatophyte properties using agar well diffusion method. Qualitative flavonoids and phenolics analysis of the extracts showed their biologically active constituents. Among the species examined, the result indicated that most of the extracts demonstrated anti-dermatophyte activity. In particular, A. calamus showed the highest efficacy against test organisms. The experiment confirmed the chemical constituents and efficacy of some selected plants and provides a scientific confirmation of the use of Thai plants in traditional medicine for fungal skin infections.

Phytochemical Screening, Antifungal, and Anticancer Activities of Medicinal Plants Thymelaea Hirsuta, Urginea Maritima, and Plantago Albicans

“…; 1, Escherichia coli; 1, and Staphylococcus aureus; 2 isolates) were able to change the RSM medium color. Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi closely related to a unique group of organisms, mostly composed of 3 main genera, including Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton that infect keratinous tissue (nails, hairs, and skin) of live human hosts, and other animals to produce infection [60]. In line with our results, Jangid and Begum [61] stated that dermatophytes are fungal pathogens of animals and humans that infect the keratinized tissues, e.g., nails, hairs, and skin, since they produce several kinds of virulence factors for infection, such as keratinase, sulfite, exoprotease, and endoprotease to penetrate into the stratum corneum of the host tissues and produce disease.…”