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Background: Dermatophytic infections have been considered to be a major public health problem. The emergence of recalcitrant dermatophytosis, coupled with resistance of dermatophytes to existing antifungal agents has necessitated the search for efficacious agents. Boerhavia diffusa is used as an ethnomedicinal plant.

Objective: To investigate the antidermatophytic activity of the extracts and ointment formulation of Boerhavia diffusa

Methods: Boerhavia diffusa leaves were extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol using a soxhlet apparatus. Fractionation of extracts was done using Vacuum Liquid Chromatography. Twelve dermatophyte isolates were used for the study. Agar well diffusion and broth microbroth dilution methods were used for the antifungal assay of extracts and fractions and to determine the minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations. Crude leaf extract was formulated into water based ointment at concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/ml. Antidermatophytic activity of the ointment formulation was carried out using Wistar rats infected with Trychophyton rubrum ATCC 28188 and Epidermophyton flocossum. Haematological and histopathological evaluations of animals were carried out.

Results: MIC and MFC of extracts ranged between 1.56 mg/ml – 50 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml – 100 mg/ml respectively. The fractions showed highest inhibitory activities against Microsporum audouinii. Total clearance of infection with ointment formulation (1.5 mg/ml) was achieved in one of the infected groups while clearance by ketoconazole was achieved in all infected groups. Haematological studies revealed a significant increase in white blood cells of the infected animals after treatment. Histopathological studies showed moderate epidermal hyperplasia.

Conclusion: This study revealed that Boerhavia diffusa has antidermatophytic activities.

Keywords: Boerhavia diffusa,Dermatophytes, Ointment, Haematological, Histopathological