In vitro and in vivo antidermatophytic activity of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva Hiern (Araliaceae)

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the last decades, the number of people suffering from dermatophytoses has seriously increased, mainly due to the development of resistant strains of microorganisms to a range of formally efficient antibiotics. Polyscias fulva, a medium size tree which grows in the West Region of Cameroon is traditionally used for local application against dermatoses and orally against venereal infections. The dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities.MethodsThe plant extract was prepared by maceration of its stem bark powder in CH2Cl2-MeOH (1:1 v/v). The extract obtained was successively partitioned in hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. In vitro antidermatophytic activity was assayed by the well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The degree of dermal irritation of the crude extract was determined in guinea pigs using the occluded dermal irritation test method. The in vivo antidermatophytic activity of the extract-oil formulation (1.25, 2.5 and 5% w/w concentrations) was evaluated using Trichophyton mentagrophytes-induced dermatophytosis in a guinea pigs model.ResultsPhytochemical screening indicated that, the crude extract, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residue fractions contain in general saponins, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones and phenols while the hexane fraction contains only alkaloids. The ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and residue fractions displayed higher antifungal activities (MIC = 0.125-0.5 mg.mL-1) against eight dermatophytes as compared to the crude extract (MIC = 0.5-1 mg.mL-1). This latter appeared to have slight perceptible erythema effects on guinea pigs as the primary irritation index (PII) was calculated to be 0.54. In vivo, the antidermatophytic activities of the extract-oil formulations were dose-dependent. Griseofulvin-oil 5% at 0.01 g/kg and formulated extract-oil (5%) at 0.1 g/kg eradicated the microbial infection after thirteen and fourteen days of daily treatment respectively.ConclusionsThe results of preclinical in vitro and in vivo evaluations indicate that the extract-oil formulation at 5% may constitute an alternative means to alleviate fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.

Antifungal properties of a new terpernoid saponin and other compounds from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva Hiern (Araliaceae)

“…The broad range antidermatophytic activities of the isolated compounds from P. fulvia explains the relatively good in vitro and in vivo antidermatophytic activity of the oil-moistened dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) crude extract from this plant [ 6 ]. They can then serve as markers for the standardization of antidermatophytic phytomedicine from P. fulva .…”

“…In previous studies, the dichloromethane extract from the bark of Polyscias fulva appeared to possess a weak antiplasmodial against Plasmodium falciparum (IC 50 = 9.8 μg/ml) and antitrypanosomial activities against Trypanosoma rhodesiense (MIC = 100 μg/ml) [ 5 ]. Furthermore, its dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract showed interesting in vitro and in vivo antidermatophytic properties [ 6 ]. With the aim of producing a standardized phytomedicine from the plant species, the dichloromethane-methanol of the stem bark was fractionated to isolate and characterize the antifungal active principles.…”

Antibacterial and antioxidant properties of crude extract, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva Hiern (Araliaceae)

“…Some biological activities of Polyscias fulva have been reported. In our previous studies, the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) crude extract showed interesting antidermatophytic activities both in vitro and in vivo [8]. A number of biologically active (against fungi) compounds have been isolated from P. fulva including two phenolics, one steroid, one triterpene and seven terpenoid saponins [9].…”

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Crude Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Petiveria alliacea L on Clinical Candida Isolates

“…Former phytochemical screening showed that P. alliacea contains substances with proven antifungal activity such as triterpenes, derived alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins [25]. These metabolites probably act by inhibiting the biosynthesis of ergosterol or other sterols present in the fungal membrane, damaging and altering its permeability resulting in loss of essential intracellular elements [26,27]. Especially the saponins are able to form pores in the lipid membrane, to increase cell permeability and inhibit biofilm formation, rendering fungal cells more susceptible to osmotic stress [28,29].…”