Antifungal potential of Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Crude Extracts against Microsporum gypseum

Abstract

Trigonella foenum-graecum (fabaceae) is commonly used as condiments and spices in Indian and Asian food to flavour, colour, and texture of food, and it is employed in various medicinal purposes in traditional systems. The biological activity of fenugreek can be easily accessed from previous research conducted by several researchers. The present research was conducted to find out the antifungal potential of various extracts of dried powder of fenugreek seeds by means of paper disc diffusion method, with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous solvents in 25 μml, 50 μml and 100 μml concentrations against Microsporum gypseum. Clotrimazole was used as a standard. The present study revealed that fenugreek is a potent antifungal agent against Microsporum gypseum. The ethanol extract of fenugreek using 100 μml concentrations depicted the highest zone of inhibition of 16.510+ 0.85mm and 38.395% of mycelial inhibition against a tested pathogen. While drug extracts in other solvents also revealed reasonable to least antifungal potential. This finding tells us that fenugreek extracts tested proved to be a potent antifungal agent against Microsporum gypseum. It was found that ethanol extract of fenugreek is best effective against tested strain. This exploration of fenugreek extracts has confirmed its importance, particularly in the area of influence on dermatophytic fungal strain.