Abstract
BackgroundCleome gynandra L. (Capparaceae) is an edible weed used in Uganda topically for its presumed antifungal activity against Tinea capitis. The goal of this study was to determine if this plant possesses antifungal activity in vitro, since T. capitis is a pervasive infection among especially rural children.MethodsAntifungal activity assay was performed by Broth dilution method, and testing done on clinical isolates of three common Tinea capitis-causing fungal strains. Evaluation of in vitro antifungal activity of the ethanol and water extracts of C. gynandra was done to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of the extracts.ResultsThe MIC of C. gynandra ethanol extract ranged from 0.0313 to 0.0625 mg/ml for Trichophyton rubrum, and from 0.25 to 0.5 mg/ml for both Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The MICs of C. gynandra aqueous extract ranged between 0.125 to 0.25 mg/ml for T. rubrum, and 0.25 to 0.5 mg/ml for both M. canis and T. mentagrophytes. T. rubrum was more sensitive than M. canis (p < 0.002) and more sensitive than T. mentagrophytes (p < 0.035) to the antifungal activity of C. gynandra. T. rubrum was 6.9 times (95 % CL: 1.15 – 41.6) more likely to have a better outcome (more sensitive) than T. mentagrophytes. Cleome gynandra aqueous extract had MFC of ≥0.0313 mg/ml for M. canis, ≥0.0156 mg/ml for T. mentagropyhtes, and ≥0.0625 mg/ml for T. rubrum. Cleome gynandra ethanol extract showed MFCs of ≥0.5 mg/ml for M. canis and T. mentagrophytes, and ≥0.125 mg/ml for T. rubrum.ConclusionBoth plant extracts demonstrated antifungal activity, shown by the MIC and MFC for the different extracts, which varied with the type of organism of the clinical fungal isolates. The ethanol extract exhibited comparable antifungal activity to the aqueous extract indicated by the MIC values seen. Conversely, after subculturing the fungal isolates, MFCs were lower for the aqueous than for the ethanol extract.
Highlights
Cleome gynandra L. (Capparaceae) is an edible weed used in Uganda topically for its presumed antifungal activity against Tinea capitis
Phytochemical screening for constituents of Cleome gynandra ethanol and water extracts Phytochemical screening of C. gynandra aerial parts of both plant extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids; oils, fats, and steroids were absent in the water extract, but present in the ethanolic extract
Antifungal activity of C. gynandra minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) readings were determined by reading or observing levels of turbidity by assigning numbers that were interpreted in percentages against the concentrations in milligrams/ml
Summary
Cleome gynandra L. (Capparaceae) is an edible weed used in Uganda topically for its presumed antifungal activity against Tinea capitis. (Capparaceae) is an edible weed used in Uganda topically for its presumed antifungal activity against Tinea capitis. The goal of this study was to determine if this plant possesses antifungal activity in vitro, since T. capitis is a pervasive infection among especially rural children. Cleome gynandra is one such plant assumed to cure Tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is one of the most pervasive fungal infections in the population, mainly among children of school age below 12 years, and is prevalent in adults whose immunity has been suppressed [10]. Current treatment options include both topical and oral agents including clotrimazole, miconazole, nystatin, griseofluvin, and terbinafine. These drugs are expensive for most of the rural poor and have many side effects, yet many plants with medicinal activity probably exist. The tea tree has been used to treat athlete’s foot [13]
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