Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: November | Volume: 7 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 314-320
Antifungal Activity of Henna Leaves (Lawsonia inermis L.) against Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale
Rabi Yakubu Bello
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Yobe State University, PMB 1144, Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Onychomycosis is a term used to describe fungal infection of the nails caused by some dermatophytes. The present study was designed to assess the antifungal activity of henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis L) extracts (n-hexane and petroleum ether) against two species of dermatophytes: Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale using the Agar Radial Diffusion and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration techniques respectively. Results obtained revealed that n-hexane extract have no antifungal effect against the test organisms. However, crude extract of petroleum ether inhibited growth of both dermatophytes at concentrations of 12.5mg/ml - 200mg/ml with the largest inhibition zone of 81±1.4mm against T. rubrum. MIC values of both extracts were 50mg/ml against T. rubrum. The antifungal drug Itraconazole exhibited the largest inhibition zone of 71±1.8mm against T. interdigitale at 25mg/ml concentration. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, saponins and alkaloids. This study concludes that, henna extract possesses antifungal activity and thus can be used to combat the problem of drug resistance.
Keywords: Lawsonia inermis, Antifungal, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Itraconazole.
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