Antifungal activity of alcoholic extracts of Batis maritima against animal pathogens

Abstract

The increase in resistance of pathogenic fungi towards normal antifungals has led to a decrease in their effectiveness in the treatment of fungal diseases. Therefore, the need for newer forms of treatment is urgent, leading to studies into traditional medicines, specifically those of herbal natures. Batis maritima is one such plant, which has historically been used in herbal remedies for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, many of which are results of fungal pathogens. The focus of this study was therefore to determine the effectiveness of alcoholic extract of leaves of B. maritima as an antifungal agent against two animal pathogens. Crude alcoholic extracts of leaves of B. maritima were prepared in concentrations of 50%, 10% 5% and 1%. These were then subjected to antifungal assays against Aspergillus flavus and Malassezia sp., using the Well Diffusion method. The results of the tests showed Zones of Inhibition of 55.9 ± 3.40 mm, 52.7 ± 1.72 mm and 47.0 ± 3.68 mm, respectively, for the 10% 5% and 1% extracts against A. flavus; no inhibition was seen with the 50% extract concentration. With respect to Malassezia sp., inhibition of 25.3 ± 5.44 mm was observed at 50% extract concentration, with no inhibition at lower concentrations. It may therefore be seen from these findings that alcoholic leaf extracts of B. maritima prove to be effective against A. flavus while lesser effective against Malassezia sp.