The Phytochemical Content and the In vitro Antifungal Properties of Senna alata (Linn.) Roxb.: A Review

Abstract

Infections caused by invasive fungal species continue to rise due to various contributing factors including the changes in the environmental and weather conditions, lifestyle, the occurrence of natural disasters, and the weakened human immune system. Even though synthetic drugs effectively cure fungal diseases, their unwanted side effects, as well as the rapid rise in resistance, have compelled researchers to develop new antifungal agents. Several medicinal plants are folklorically known to have antifungal activities. Among the traditionally used antifungal herbal plants is Senna alata, commonly known as akapulko and ringworm bush. In the current review, phytochemical analysis and numerous non-clinical studies on akapulko have been performed and confirmed its activity against several fungi pathogenic to humans. Anthraquinone compounds seemed to be the major phytochemicals responsible for its antifungal activity. In the Philippines, clinical trials have also confirmed its utility as a topical agent in treating cutaneous fungal infections. Research gaps that need to be addressed include the determination of the exact molecular mechanisms of their fungal killing action.

Utilization and bioactivity of Ketepeng cina (Senna alata (L.) Roxb.)

“…Senna alata has been used for a long time for the treatment of tinea versicolor and ringworm infections in Thailand [2]. In the Philippines, clinical trials have also confirmed the usefulness of S. alata as a topical agent in treating fungal skin infections [3]. In Cameroon, S. alata is used for the treatment of several infections including: gonorrhea, gastro-intestinal and skin diseases [15].…”

“…The antimicrobial bioactivity is related to its secondary metabolites. The compound anthraquinones [3], tannins, steroids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, terpenes and saponins [20,24] is the main compound responsible for the antifungal activity [3]. Anthraquinone aglycans are compounds that inhibit the growth of C. albicans [2].…”

“…Empirically, it can be seen that the use of plants as traditional medicine is often doubted due to the lack of scientific information about S. alata in a comprehensive manner, especially in Indonesian. From various scientific reports, it was found that S. alata has long been used to treat various skin disorders in various Asian and African countries and has been registered as herbal medicine in Thailand [2] and has been developed as an agent to treat topical fungal skin infections [2,3]. Oladeji et al [4] also reported that it is also used for the treatment of typhoid, diabetes, malaria, asthma, ringworm, tinea infections, scabies, blotch, herpes, and eczema.…”

“…Plant bioactivity is related to the content of its secondary metabolites. The kaempferol of S. alata showed strong activity anti bacteria [7], while anthraquinone has activity as antifungal [3]. On the other hand, various secondary metabolites of S. alata can be toxic so that their use needs to be careful.…”

Medicinal Plants for Dermatophytosis: Senna Alata (Linn.) Roxb., Allium sativum (Linn.) and Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf

“…In a recent review 27 , the plant's ethanolic, aqueous, methanolic and hexane leaf, stem and root extracts have activities against Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. parasiticius, Candida albicans, C. neoformans, Epidermophyton floccosum, M. canslaslomyces, M. canis, M. gypseum, M. audouinnii, T. verrucosim, T. megnini, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. tonsurans, and Penicillium marneffei. In addition, its ethanolic extract showed excellent activity and is favorable in formulating a topical treatment for those infected with these fungi.…”