THE STUDY OF ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY FROM INDIGENOUS PLANTS FROM INDONESIA: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to look for new agents from extracted Indonesia herbs which have antifungal activity with better safety profile against Candida albicans, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Methods: Screening of eleven herbs was perform to determine the highest antifungal activity. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of selected extracts, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves, Java turmeric (Curcuma xanthorriza) rhizome, and ginger (Zingiber officinalis) rhizome; were determined by using microdilution and agar diffusion methods. Extracts were then combined to evaluate further activities. Selected extracts were fractionated by using liquid-liquid extraction, analyzed by TLC bioautography.Results: ethanolic extract of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves, Java turmeric (Curcuma xanthorriza) rhizome, and ginger (Zingiber officinalis) rhizome in combination showed the highest activity and synergistic interaction against Trichophyton mentagrophytes. There were several components from fractions were actively inhibiting corresponding fungi according to TLC bioautography method. Conclusion: ethanolic extracts of rosemary, Java turmeric, and ginger had the highest antifungal potency, both as extract and in combination comparable to ketoconazole as reference drug. These selected extracts are potential to be used as new antifungal agents.