BRONZE OR PINK LEAF, WHICH IS BEST FOR ANTIGFUNGAL USE OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA ‘BRONZE PINK’?

Abstract

Leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana ‘bronze pink’ once produced, change colour over time from green to bronze and then to pink. Leaves of all shades except green are often collected for treatment of skin fungal infections. The relationship between the phytochemical content and antifungal activity of different shades of leaves are studied. Bronze (approx. 100%), 50% pink/bronze and Pink (approx. 100%) coloured leaves were used for the analyses. Results showed that pink leaves have the highest amount of anthocyanins and the least total amount of chlorophyll while bronze leaves showed the highest total amount of chlorophyll and least amount of anthocyanins. Phytochemical analyses of leaf sample of Acalypha wilkesiana showed that bronze leaves recorded the least amount of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenolics while pink leaves showed the highest content of all. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaf samples were tested against Aspergilus flavus and Aspergilus terreus. Extracts of pink leaves recorded the highest zones of inhibition against the test organisms in both aqueous and methanolic while bronze leaves showed the least zones of inhibition against the same test organisms and solvents. Results of the study showed that the efficiency of the leaves of A. wilkesiana in treating skin diseases increases as the leaves turn from bronze to pink. Collectors for treatment of dermatophytes are therefore advised to harvest the pink leaves while giving the bronze leaves the opportunity to turn to pink before being used.