Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Five Plants against Four Dermatophytes Responsible for Superficial Infections

Abstract

This study is of great interest due to the rise in superficial infections caused by dermatophytes and the need to find natural alternatives to synthetic antifungals. The objective of this research was to determine the phytochemical composition and antifungal activity of total extracts from five plants: Zanthoxylum gilletii, Distemonanthus benthamianus, Gmelina arborea, Justicia secunda, and Anacardium occidentale against four dermatophytes, namely Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton soudanense. To achieve this, aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts were prepared and subjected to phytochemical analysis, followed by evaluations of antifungal activity using the slant double-tube method. Antifungal parameters (IC50 and MFC) were determined. The results revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids, in most of the extracts. Z. gilletii and D. benthamianus showed strong efficacy, with IC50 values of 0.004 to 0.00609 mg/mL and 0.018 to 0.155 mg/mL, and MFC values of 0.0975 to 0.39 mg/mL and 0.39 to 12.5 mg/mL respectively, particularly against M. canis and T. soudanense. In contrast, A. occidentale showed no significant antifungal activity. This study thus highlights the potential of plant extracts in the treatment of skin infections and justifies further research to explore their clinical application.