Evaluation of Phytochemical Constituents and Antifungal Properties of Different Solvent Extracts of the Leaf of Acalypha godseffiana Mull Arg

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants such as Acalypha plant has been employed in traditional medicine for the treatment of fungal skin infections affecting children in Nigeria. Objective: In this study, the phytochemical constituent of acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous leaf extracts of Acalypha godseffiana were investigated to correlate its observed antifungal activity. Methods: Using standard methods, the phytochemical components of the leaf of Acalypha godseffiana were extracted with different solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol and water), analysed and quantified. Their antifungal activities were assessed with their minimum inhibitory concentrations using serial dilution method. Results: The methanol extract with best yield (8.18%) extracted all the screened metabolites while the aqueous extract with similar yield (8.28%) extracted the least quantities of the metabolites. The methanolic extract also had the highest flavonoid content (379.66 mg/mL), acetone extracted the highest proanthocyanidin (264.67 mg/mL), ethanolic extract had the highest phenolics (208.03 mg/ mL) while the aqueous extract had the least of the polyphenolic compounds. The methanolic leaf extract of the plant showed stronger antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans with less MIC (0.098 mg/mL) compared to standard antifungal drugs nystatin (MIC 0.250mg/mL) and ketoconazole (MIC 0.250 mg/mL). Acetone extract (MIC 0.781 mg/mL) also showed significant but less antifungal activity against Trychophyton mucoides compared to nystatin (MIC 0.500 mg/mL). Conclusion: The significant antifungal activities of the leave extracts of A. godseffiana may be attributed to its high flavonoid, saponin, phenolics and proanthocyanidin contents in the acetone and methanolic extracts. The results may justify the use of Acalypha godseffiana leaves in folk medicine for treatment of fungal skin infection and may serve as lead to future synthesis of a potent antifungal drug.