OA01.49. Antifungal activity study of the extracts of Homonoia riparia, Pedilanthus tithymaloides and Phyllanthus fraternus

PURPOSE: Homonoia riparia Lour, Pedilanthus tithymaloides(Linn.) Poit and Phyllanthus fraternus (Medic.) Almeida (comb. nov.) belonging to family Euphorbiaceae was reported to be used in India to cure skin diseases. It was observed that the skin diseases caused by the fungi particularly by the Trichophyton species are very common in Mumbai. Hence, present study was undertaken to evaluate the antifungal activity of the extracts of the plants mentioned above. METHOD: Plants were collected from the wild and identified and authenticated by referring to floras and comparing with the herbarium specimens. Skin scrapings of the patients visiting G.T. hospital, Mumbai and Miskeek's pathology laboratory, Thane, for the treatment were collected and cultured on a dermatophyte culture medium (SDA supplemented with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide) and after several subcultures Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were isolated and identified by studying the colony characteristics and microscopic structure as suggested by Larone (1976). 20 % extracts of fresh and dry roots, leaves and flowers/fruits were prepared in distilled water and 20 % ethanol separately using the grinder. The extracts were filtered through Whatman No.1 filter paper and the filtrates were used to test the antifungal activity, The method used by Abubacker et al.(2008) was followed to test the antifungal activity. The extracts inhibiting the growth of the fungus were analysed for different phytoconstituents following the tests prescribed in pharmacognosy book (Kokate, 2007), RESULT: It was observed that the extracts of Pedilanthus tithymaloides and Phyllanthus fraternus did not inhibit or delay the growth of the fungus whereas, the aqueous extracts of dry leaves and flowers (male) of Homonoia riparia inhibited the growth of T. mentagrophytes. The phytochemical analysis of aqueous extracts of the dry leaves and flowers indicated presence of Tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and alkaloids. CONCLUSION: Homonoia riparia (leaves and flowers) may have the potential to inhibit the growth of T. mentagrophytes.