Fungicidal potential of selected plant extracts against human pathogenic fungi

In this study, the rationale was to examine selected medicinal plants in vitro for anti-fungal potential, and to determine the broad class of bioactive compounds behind their activity. Seven medicinal plants were investigated for anti-fungal properties against three human pathogenic fungi. Methanolic extracts of the plant materials were prepared by polarity based solvent extraction. The anti-fungal properties were examined by the punch well technique. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the most potent extracts was ascertained by micro-broth dilution method. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA with post-hoc Turkey's B test at P < 0.05. Significant anti-fungal properties were detected in the methanolic extract of the leaves of B. dalzielii (19.43 mm) against T. rubrum and leaves of O. gratissimum (24.3 mm) against T. mentagrophyte. C. albicans was inhibited by the methanolic root extract (39.55 mm) of C. alata. The methanolic root extract of C. alata exhibited the least MIC value (312.5 µg.ml−1) against C. albicans. Phytochemical studies of the active extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids and tannins. This study therefore justifies the putative use of the plants in the remedy of fungal infections and has opened up crucial leads for the discovery of novel plant based anti-fungal agents