Antifungal potentials of Luffa cylindrica (Roem) ethyl acetate leaf extract

Abstract

Background: Plants remain as an untapped reservoir of potentially useful chemical compounds. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the in vivo antifungal activities, bioautographic profile and in vitro mechanism of action. Methods: The in vivo antifungal activity was investigated against Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum in Wistar rats. Thin layer bioautographic profile of the ethyl acetate extract was assessed using agar overlay method. The possible in vitro mechanism of action of the crude ethyl acetate extract was assessed by the sorbitol protection assay and release of cellular materials assay. Results: The bioautographic profile showed the presence of three active spots having retardation factors of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.92 and diameter zone of inhibition, 15.0 – 30.0 mm. The in vivo antifungal (dermal) activity of the crude ethyl acetate extract, revealed a gradual healing of the infected rats skin upon treatment with the extract formulation, with no visible clinical signs of toxicity to the skin. In vivo systemic antifungal evaluation of the crude extract at a dose of 1500 mg/kg produced the strongest systemic antifungal activity with a total kill of all the fungal isolates at day 3 of treatment in rats however, histopathological examination after oral administration revealed signs of toxicity to vital organs (kidney, liver and lungs). Conclusion: The good in vivo activity supports its ethno-botanical use in the treatment of skin diseases.