Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. for dermatophytoses: Ascertaining the efficacy and mode of action through experimental and computational approaches

Abstract

Abstract Dermatophytoses, also known as tinea or ringworm, are superficial infections caused by a group of fungi, the dermatophytes, affecting skin, nail, hair, and wet areas of the body. Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton are the three genera classified as dermatophytes. Balanites aegyptiaca, the “Desert date”, is an important medicinal plant. It is a spiny shrub or short tree with sweet fruits, stone-like seeds, and oily kernels. Various parts of this plant are used in treating many diseases in humans, especially skin disease, jaundice, intestinal worm infection, wounds, malaria, epilepsy, dysentery, hemorrhoid, stomachaches, and asthma. In the present study, different parts of the plant, viz. the aerial part, fruit pulp, epicarp, and kernel portions were separated and shade dried, and extracts of these portions were prepared using the Soxhlet apparatus. The antidermatophytic activity on M.gypseum and T.rubrum was tested using the poison food technique with five different concentrations (1,2,3,4,5 mg/ml) of each extract. The in vitro results were compared with the standard drug Ketaconazole used to treat dermatophytosis. From the results of the present study, the methanol extract of the pulp portion was found to inhibit the growth of M.gypseum and T.rubrum completely from the concentration of 3 mg/ml onwards. LC-MS was performed for fruit pulp, and the identified compounds were docked with the proteins involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, protein synthesis, and the cell wall of the pathogen, and compared with the specific drugs using Glide module of Schrodinger. Cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoside, Taurocholic acid, PRZ-M382, Papaverine and Mebeverine gave better interactions and dock score than the drug, and are available in the fruit mesocarp, which is edible. This study reveals that the active compounds from the fruit pulp of Balanites aegyptiaca may have potential activity against the growth of dermatophytes, and the edible part may be validated in vivo.