In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of Boerhavia diffusa Linn on selected dermatophyte strains
Morenike E. Coker, Temitope A. Oguntifa, Benjamin O. Emikpe, Theophilus A. Jarikre2
1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Corresponding author: Morenike E. Coker
Email: morencoker2002@yahoo.com; Phone: +2348033435228
ABSTRACT
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 wasformulated 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 25mg/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 studiesshowed moderate epidermal hyperplasia.
Conclusion: This study revealed that Boerhavia diffusa has antidermatophytic activities.
Keywords: Boerhavia diffusa, Dermatophytes, Ointment, Haematological, Histopathological