Dermatophytes Microsporum Gypseum Research Articles

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Gentianella multicaulis Collected on the Andean Slopes of San Juan Province, Argentina

The infusion of the aerial parts of Gentianella multicaulis (Gillies ex Griseb.) Fabris (Gentianaceae), locally known as 'nencia', is used in San Juan Province, Argentina, as stomachic and as a bitter tonic against digestive and liver problems. The bioassay-guided isolation of G. multicaulis extracts and structural elucidation of the main compounds responsible for the antifungal and free radical scavenging activities were performed. The extracts had strong free radical scavenging effects in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (45-93% at 10 microg/mL) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay at 200 microg/mL. Demethylbellidifolin (4) had high antioxidant activity in the DPPH and FRAP assay. The dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and T. rubrum were moderately inhibited by the different extracts (MIC values of 125-250 microg/mL). Demethylbellidifolin (4), bellidifolin (5), and isobellidifolin (6) showed an antifungal effect (MIC values of 50 microg/mL), while swerchirin (3) was less active with a MIC value of 100 microg/mL. In addition, oleanolic acid (1) and ursolic acid (2) were also isolated. These findings demonstrate that Gentianella multicaulis collected in the mountains of the Province of San Juan, Argentina, is an important source of compounds with antifungal and antioxidant activities.

(−)-5,6-Dehydrocamphor from the antifungal essential oil of Zuccagnia punctata

The essential oils from aerial parts of nine populations of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC–FID, GC–MS and 13C NMR. A total of 80 constituents, mainly oxygenated monoterpenes, were identified representing from 79.0 to 95.2% of the total oils which showed different composition patterns. The unusual compound (−)-5,6-dehydrocamphor, the major constituent in six of the samples investigated with percentages ranging from 12.3% to 56.5%, was isolated for the first time from nature and its structure was completely defined from NMR spectrometric data. Microscope studies of leaves indicated that not only capitate glands but also non-glandular trichomes, not previously described in this species, were present on the leaf surfaces.The essential oil showed antifungal activity against the dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum, Tricophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes with MIC values between 15.6 and 125μgml−1, being T. rubrum the most susceptible species.

Broad spectrum antidermatophytic drug for the control of tinea infection in human beings

During antifungal evaluation of various plant extracts, free and bound flavonoids of Piper betle were found to be most effective as an antidermatophytic against human pathogenic dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Candida albicans. Dermatophytic fungi cause both superficial and internal mycoses. These mycoses, although normally not lethal, are unpleasant and difficult to cure and cause considerable financial losses. Earlier workers prove that allopathic drugs are still found effective against dermatomycoses, but these drugs could not be accepted as a routine treatment for every case, because they are expensive and require long treatment. It is almost unaffordable by middle and lower class people. In view of such prospects and constraints, our aim was to explore more new compounds of plant origin for controlling dermatophytic infections. Author explored water, methanolic and flavonoid extracts for screening as antidermatophytic agent. Plant extracts that showed good results in vitro were selected for clinical studies. The study may give cheaper treatment for medium and lower class patients suffering with tinea and may provide them much relief. Well-established paper disc method was used for the screening of different extracts of their antidermatophytic activity. Moreover, it did not exhibit any adverse side effect on mammalian skin. Flavonoids in the form of ointment Pi be I and Pi be II were subjected to topical testing on patients attending out patients department of S.M.S. Hospital, Jaipur, India. Patients were diagnosed as tinea corporis, tinea capitis, tinea manum or tinea pedis. All patients showed positive potassium hydroxide (KOH) results at the beginning of trial. Patients between the ages of 3 months to 58 years were enrolled. At the end of treatment, while 64% of patients cured completely, 24% showed significant improvement and 12% showed little improvement from the disease. Allopathic treatment took 4-8 weeks when compared with only 1-5 weeks taken by Pi be I and Pi be II ointments. The ointment, thus not only showed maximum affectivity but was also found to be a better and cost effective alternative to allopathic drug for tinea infections. The acceptability of alternative medicines, particularly herbal medicines, has now become a critical need of the times.

Essential Oils of Medicinal Plants from the Central Andes of Argentina: Chemical Composition, and Antifungal, Antibacterial, and Insect‐Repellent Activities

The antifungal, antibacterial, and insect-repellent activities of the essential oils (EOs) of Acantholippia seriphioides, Artemisia mendozana, Gymnophyton polycephalum, Satureja parvifolia, Tagetes mendocina, and Lippia integrifolia, collected in the Central Andes area, province of San Juan, Argentina, were investigated. The dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and T. rubrum were inhibited by the EOs of G. polycephalum, L. integrifolia, and S. parvifolia, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 31.2 and 1000 μg/ml. Moreover, all EOs presented moderate activity against the bacteria tested, and the L. integrifolia and G. polycephalum EOs showed excellent repellent properties against Triatoma infestans, the Chagas disease vector, with repellency values between 60 and 100%. The A. seriphioides, G. polycephalum, and L. integrifolia EOs, obtained by hydrodistillation, were characterized by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. The highest number of components (40) was identified in L. integrifolia EO, which, along with that of A. seriphioides, contained important amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes (44.35 and 29.72%, resp.). Thymol (27.61%) and carvacrol (13.24%) were the main components of A. seriphioides EO, and borneol, lippifoli-1(6)-en-5-one, and terpinen-4-ol (>8.5%) were the principal compounds of L. integrifolia EO. These results support the idea that oxygenated monoterpenes are the bioactive fractions of the EOs. Finally, the study shows that these Andean species might be used to treat superficial fungal infections and to improve the local Chagas disease situation by vector-control.

Studies on antidermatophytic effect of Allamanda cathertica

Antidermatophytic activity of dichloromethane and methanol extracts of whole plant of Allamanda cathertica was evaluated. Two pathogenic dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum gypseum were used that were collected from dermatophytoses patients. The dichloromethane extract was moderately active at concentration of 50 µg/disc but exhibited highly potent activity at concentration of 200 µg/disc. The methanol extract was not active against the tested fungi. Dichloromethane extract of A. cathertica may have antidermatophyte constituents that could be useful in ringworm diseases.

Anti fungal activity of shallot, Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae), in vitro

The aim of the present study was to investigate anti fungal activities of the fresh extract of Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae) against clinically important yeast, dermatophytes and some saprophytic fungi in vitro. The anti fungal effects of fresh crude juice of shallot were determined against 11 isolates of Candida albicans, three species of dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, Trichophytonmentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum) and Syncephalastrum,Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Scopulariopsis sp.,Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Drechslera sp. by agar well diffusion method.Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fresh extract of A. ascalonicum was 0.25% for most tested fungi; however extract show remarkable activity against saprophytic fungi followed by Candida species and dermatophytes. It is concluded that fresh extract of A. ascalonicum has more anti-saprophytes effect at 0.25% with a mean diameter of inhibition zone 21.83 mm. Key words: Candida albicans, saprophytic fungi, dermatophyte, Allium ascalonicum, anti fungal.

The digestion of human hair by the dermatophyte Microsporum gypseum in a submerged culture.

Summary The strongly keratinolytic strain of the dermatophyte Microsporum gypseum was grown on children's hairs in submerged aerated culture with a periodical exchange of the culture fluid. Each day one tenth of the total volume of the medium was exchanged. For 46 days the growth of the mycelium, degradation of substrate and some other physiological characteristics were examined. The growth took place in three phases. After the main growth period retardation and later on a new growth were observed. In 14 days almost 30% and in 46 days 50–55 % of the substrate were digested. The economic coefficient (in g of the substrate consumed for the development of 1 g of mycelium dry weight) rose from the value of cca 3.2 to 4.2–4.8 at the end of the experiment. Except for the initial growth phase pH kept in the cultures in a range of 8.0–8.3. The proteolytic activity of the culture filtrates was considerable. The activity on gelatin and casein reached its maximum as early as after 12–14 days and later on it decreased rapidly. The activity on keratin powder showed entirely different dynamics and was in general but very small. The principal products of the keratinolysis in the filtrate were the peptides. The amount of aminoacids did not surpass 5% of all products. The proteins were present in a negligible amount only. The maximum amount of soluble substances in the medium (cca 1.2 mg/ml) was attained in three weeks' cultures. In the culture fluid sulfhydryl compounds occurred in traces. Zusammenfassung Ein stark keratinolytischer Stamm des Dermatophyten Microsporum gypseum wurde an Kinderhaaren in einer submersen Kultur mit intensiver Aeration und periodischem Mediumwechsel kultiviert. Taglich wurde ein Zehntel des Gesamtvolumens des Mediums ausgewechselt. Binnen 46 Tagen wurden das Wachstum des Myzels, der Substratabbau und einige weitere physiologische Eigenschaften verfolgt. Das Wachstum verlief in drei Phasen. Nach der ersten Wachstumsperiode kam es zu einer Verzogerung und spater wieder zu einer Erneuerung des Wachstums. Im Laufe von 14 Tagen wurden fast 30% und in 46 Tagen 50–55% des Substrats abgebaut. Der okono-mische Koeffizient (in g des zur Bildung von 1 g Myzeltrockensubstanz verbrauchten Substrats) erhohte sich von ca. 3,2 bis zu 4,2–4,8 zum Ende des Versuches. pH schwankte in den Kulturen mit der Ausnahme der ersten Wachstumsphase im Bereich von 8,0–8,3. Die proteolytische Aktivitat der Kulturfiltrate war erheblich. Die Aktivitat auf Gelatine und Kasein erreichte ihr Maximum bereits nach 12–14 Tagen und spater sank sie rasch ab. Die Aktivitat auf Keratinstaub wies eine ganz unterschiedliche Dynamik auf und war im allgemeinen nur sehr gering. Die Hauptprodukte der Keratinolyse im Filtrat waren die Peptide. Der Anteil der Aminosauren war kleiner als 5% auch die Proteine waren nur in minimalen Mengen vorhanden. Die Hochstmenge der im Medium gelosten Produkte (ca. 1,2 mg/ml) wurde bei den drei Wochen alten Kulturen erreicht. Im Kulturfiltrat kamen in Spuren Sulfhvdryl-stoffe vor.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS, ESSENTIAL OIL AND METABOLITES OBTAINED FROM TAGETES MENDOCINA

Extracts from the Argentinean herb Tagetes mendocina Phil. (Asteraceae) were tested for antimicrobial activity against fungi, bacteria and protozoa. The different extracts (PE, DCM, MeOH and EtOAc) and the essential oil displayed activity mainly against dermatophytes, a group of fungi that produces skin infections. The bioassay-guided fractionation of PE, DCM and EtOAc extracts led to the isolation of eight compounds including two thiophenes, two acetophenone derivatives, dihydrorosefuran and three flavonoids. The thiophenes 5-(4-hydroxy-1-butynyl)-2,2 ’ -bithienyl (BBTOH) (1) and its acetate (BBTOAc) (2) proved to be highly active against the dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes with MIC values of 3.12, 3.12 and 6.25 µg/mL for compound 1 and 25, 3.12 and 6.25 µg/mL for compound 2, respectively. In turn, the essential oil displayed a weak to moderate antifungal effect against M. gypseum with MIC = 250 µg/mL. The essential oil was examined by GC and GC-MS and 21 constituents (97.3%) were identified. ( E) β-ocimene, (Z)-tagetone, (E)-tagetone, (Z)-ocimenone, α-pinene and (E)-ocimenone were the major components. In addition, thiophenes 1 and 2 and 2-hydroxyacetophenone 3 showed antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania amazonensis, L. brasiliensis and L. infantum promastigotes with 100% lysis at 100 µg/mL.

Screening of chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia essential oils

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated from aerial parts of seven wild sages from Western Canada – Artemisia absinthium L., Artemisia biennis Willd., Artemisia cana Pursh, Artemisia dracunculus L., Artemisia frigida Willd., Artemisia longifolia Nutt. and Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., was investigated by GC–MS. A total of 110 components were identified accounting for 71.0–98.8% of the oil composition. High contents of 1,8-cineole (21.5–27.6%) and camphor (15.9–37.3%) were found in Artemisia cana, A. frigida, A. longifolia and A. ludoviciana oils. The oil of A. ludoviciana was also characterized by a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes with a 5-ethenyltetrahydro-5-methyl-2-furanyl moiety, of which davanone (11.5%) was the main component identified. A. absinthium oil was characterized by high amounts of myrcene (10.8%), trans-thujone (10.1%) and trans-sabinyl acetate (26.4%). A. biennis yielded an oil rich in ( Z)-beta-ocimene (34.7%), ( E)-beta-farnesene (40.0%) and the acetylenes (11.0%) ( Z)- and ( E)-en-yn-dicycloethers. A. dracunculus oil contained predominantly phenylpropanoids such as methyl chavicol (16.2%) and methyl eugenol (35.8%). Artemisia oils had inhibitory effects on the growth of bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis), yeasts ( Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans), dermatophytes ( Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum), Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Aspergillus niger. A. biennis oil was the most active against dermatophytes, Cryptococcus neoformans, Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Aspergillus niger, and A. absinthium oil the most active against Staphylococcus strains. In addition, antioxidant (beta-carotene/linoleate model) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities were determined, and weak activities were found for these oils.

In vitro antifungal activity of extracts and neolignans from Piper regnellii against dermatophytes

The present study was designated to evaluate the in vitro antidermatophyte activity of extracts from leaves of Piper regnellii as well as of the bioactivity-directed isolation of neolignans. The antifungal assay was performed by microdilution techniques. The hydroalcoholic extract of Piper regnellii leaves presented a strong activity against the dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum with MICs of 15.62, 15.62, 15.62 and 62.5 μg/ml, respectively. On light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of nail fragments not exposed to hydroalcoholic extract of Piper regnelli leaves, well-formed and extensive mycelial growth was seen. On nail fragments exposed to hydroalcoholic extract at concentrations more than 1.2 mg/ml and then inoculated with spore suspension, growth was not seen. The hydroalcoholic extract was fractionated on silica gel in to nine fractions. The active chloroform fraction was lyophilized and chromatographed by column chromatography on silica gel. Structures were established by comparison with literature data and identified as eupomatenoid-3 and eupomatenoid-5. The pure compounds showed strong activity on Trichophyton rubrum with MIC of 50 and 6.2 μg/ml, respectively. Comparing the activity of the active chloroform fraction obtained from hydroalcoholic crude extract with that of isolated compound eupomatenoid-5, it is clear that this showed the same results against Trichophyton rubrum. The results showed that the plant could be explored for possible antifungal agents and provides preliminary scientific validation for the traditional medicinal use of this plant.

Ethnoveterinary study for antidermatophytic activity of Piper betle, Alpinia galanga and Allium ascalonicum extracts in vitro

Crude ethanolic extracts of Piper betle leaves (Piperaceae), Alpinia galanga rhizomes (Zingiberaceae) and Allium ascalonicum bulbs (Liliaceae) were tested against selected zoonotic dermatophytes ( Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophyte) and the yeast-like Candida albicans. A broth dilution method was employed to determine the inhibitory effect of the extracts and compared to those of ketoconazole and griseofulvin. All extracts suppressed the growth of the fungi in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the extracts tested, P. betle exhibited more effective antifungal properties with average IC 50 values ranging from 110.44 to 119.00 μg/ml. Subsequently, 10% Piper betle (Pb) cream was formulated, subjected to physical and microbial limit test and evaluated for antifungal effect. The disc diffusion assay revealed comparable zones of inhibition between discs of Pb cream containing 80 μg P. betle extract and 80 μg ketoconazole against tested fungi at 96 h after incubation. Thereafter, the inhibitory effect of Pb cream markedly decreased and completely lost effectiveness by day 7. In summary, the results supported the traditional wisdom of herbal remedy use and suggested a potential value-addition to agricultural products. It was suggested that the Pb cream has potential therapeutic value for treatment of dermatophytosis. However, clinical testing as well as improving the Pb cream formulation with greater efficacy and duration of action would be of interest and awaits further investigation.

Bioactive extracts from Senecio samnitum Huet

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of extracts from Senecio samnitum Huet are reported. Extracts from S. samnitum were able to inhibit the in vitro proliferation of four human tumor cell lines. The dichloromethane extract demonstrated effective cytotoxic activity with IC50 of 22.89 µg mL−1 on the Caco-2 cell line and the EtOAc extract had IC50 value of 11.91 µg mL−1 against the COR-L23 cell line. The n-hexane extract displayed the best antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. The antifungal activity of all extracts was also seen, particularly against the dermatophytes Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum gypseum for the methanol and n-hexane extracts.

In vitroeffects of fungi isolated from equine hooves on primary human keratinocytes

The effects of two dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes) and four moulds (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Alternaria alternata, Geotrichum candidum and Penicillium spp.) on living keratinocyte cultures were examined in vitro using primary human keratinocytes. Rates of apoptosis of infected cells were determined using a colorimetric TUNEL system which detects the characteristic nuclear DNA fragmentation of apoptotic cells. The cytotoxicity of the individual fungi was tested by quantitatively measuring cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, released upon cell lysis, in culture supernatants. Additionally, the cell structures within the infected keratinocytes in cultures were examined by scanning electron microscopy. All of the fungi exhibited high cytotoxicity, whereas the development of only the two dermatophytes and the mould Scopulariopsis brevicaulis resulted in distinctly increased apoptosis. Electron microscopy showed that all fungi studied caused similar alterations in the cell structure, with Microsporum gypseum being the most harmful. Increasing loss of cell adhesion as a consequence of a decreasing number of reticulating cell appendices and a reduced cell plasticity were the most evident alterations.

In vitro degradation of equine keratin by dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi

Keratinolytic properties of two dermatophytes ( Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes) and three moulds ( Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Alternaria alternata, Geotrichum candidum) isolated from diseased equine hooves were examined to improve the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms leading to equine onychomycosis. Equine hoof horn material and skin, as well as hoof keratin and dermal keratin extracted from corresponding tissues, were used as sole carbon and nitrogen sources in five test tubes for each fungus. Within 18 days, supernatants of all tubes were repeatedly examined for keratinolytic activity by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. In addition, fungal growth rates were determined to identify the preferred tissue of the individual fungi. Among the fungi examined, M. gypseum was the most keratinolytic species, followed by T. mentagrophytes and S. brevicaulis. In the concentration applied, the moulds A. alternata and G. candidum showed minimal keratinolytic activity. With respect to growth rates, M. gypseum favoured hoof horn material, S. brevicaulis and G. candidum preferred skin as a keratin source, whereas for the other two fungi no clear preference was detectable.

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Hyptis ovalifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae)

The leaves of Hyptis ovalifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae) were subjected to hydrodistillation and the resulting volatiles were investigated by GC/MS. The main constituent representing 60% of the essential oil was isolated by column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic methods as (R)-6-[(Z)-1-heptenyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (1). This compound showed strong in vitro activity against four dermatophyte fungi Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Tricophyton mentagrophytes, and Tricophyton rubrum (a total of 60 strains) with a minimal inhibitory concentration observed in the range of 125-7.8 mg µL-1.

Ecology of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi in swimming pools and polluted and unpolluted streams.

The biodiversity and richness of keratinophilic fungal communities including dermatophytes were assessed in three stream sites and three swimming pools in the Nablus district in Palestine, using hair baiting (HBT) and surface dilution plate (SDP) techniques, over 8- and 6-month periods, respectively. The effect of wastewater effluent and selected ecological factors on these fungi in relation to species diversity and population densities were also considered. Fifty keratinophilic fungal species were recovered from the aquatic habitats studied, of which 42 were recovered from stream sites and 22 from swimming pools. Of these fungi 6 were either dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes) or dermatophyte related species (Chrysosporium merdarium, Ch. tropicum, Ch. keratinophilum and T. terrestre). The most frequently isolated species in the three pools were Acremonium strictum and Cladosporium cladosporioides, using Sabouraud dextrose agar medium (SDA). The most abundant species were Acr. strictum, and Aspergillus flavus. However, only 4 species were isolated using the SDA medium amended with 5-flurocytosine (5-FC). The most frequent and abundant species in the three stream sites using SDA medium were Geotricum candidum, and Penicillium chrysogenum. The most frequent species in the three sites using the 5-FC medium, was Paecilomyces lilacinus. Using HBT, the most abundant and frequent species in the three stream sites were G. candidum, and Pa. lilacinus, on SDA medium, and Pa. lilacinus, and Gliocladium nigrovirens on the 5-FC medium. The 5-FC medium was more suitable for the isolation of dermatophytes and closely related species than the SDA medium; 6 were recovered on 5-FC, whereas only one on the SDA medium. Variation in the levels of keratinophilic fungal populations from the three stream sites sampled 5 times over an 8-month period, followed comparable fluctuation patterns. Wastewater affected fungal population densities with the highest levels in the un-polluted stream sites, and lowest in the heavily polluted sites. Swimming pools, polluted and un-polluted stream sites were found to be rich in pathogenic and potentially pathogenic fungi.

Antifungal Activity of Lemon Grass Oil and Lemon Grass Oil Cream

Lemon grass oil was extracted by steam distillation of wilted leaves of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.) cultivated in Thailand. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) of this oil and citral against 35 clinical isolates of 4 dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Microsporum gypseum) were determined by agar dilution method. It was found that the MIC and MLC of lemon grass oil were higher than those of citral. The most resistant strain was M. gypseum followed by T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and E. floccosum, respectively. The mode of action of lemon grass oil and citral were proven to be fungicidal. The comparative study of the efficacy of cream containing four different concentrations (1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3%) of lemon grass oil was performed in vitro by hole diffusion assay. The 2.5% lemon grass oil was demonstrated to be the minimum concentration for preparation of an antifungal cream for subsequent clinical study.

Fungitoxicity of essential oils against dermatophytes.

Sixteen essential oils were screened in vitro for their fungitoxicity against the two dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum gypseum. Five oils (from Artemisia nelagrica, Caesulia axillaris, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Cymbopogon citratus and Mentha arvensis) showed strong activity and were assessed for their fungitoxicity against eight other dermatophytes as well as against Aspergillus fumigatus and Cladosporium trichoides. These five essential oils by formulation of ointments were able to cure experimental ringworm in guinea pigs within 7 to 12 days. Artemisia oil was found to be the most effective essential oil.

Plants used in guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytic infections. 1. Screening for antimycotic activity of 44 plant extracts

Skin infections are common diseases in developing countries, of which dermatophytoses are of particular concern in the tropics, especially in infants. Through ethnobotanical surveys and literature review 100 plants were detected as being used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytoses. Of these, 44 plants were screened for in vitro activity against the most common dermatophytes (Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum). Results showed that aqueous extracts from 22 of the plants tested inhibit one or more of the dermatophytes. The most commonly inhibited dermatophytes were E. floccosum (43.2%), T. rubrum (36.0%), and T. mentagrophytes (31.8%); the less inhibited were M. canis (22.7%) and M. gypseum (24.0%). Plants of American origin which exhibited anti-dermatophyte activity were: Byrsonima crassifolia, Cassia grandis, Cassia occidentalis, Diphysa carthagenensis, Gliricidia sepium, Piscidia piscipula, Sambucus mexicana, Smilax regelii, Solanum americanum and Solanum nigrescens. Fungicidal and fungistatic activities as well as the minimal inhibitory concentration were demonstrated. These results provide a scientific basis for the use of these plants for the treatment of dermatophyte infections in man.

Utilization of various concentrations of free cystine by the fungus Microsporum gypseum

The dermatophyte Microsporum gypseum was cultivated on two liquid media enriched with 50 to 1000 micrograms/ml free L-cystine. The presence of cystine in concentrations above 250 micrograms/ml (gelatin medium) or 500 micrograms/ml (glucose-glutamate medium) inhibited the growth. In all variants, however, cystine was utilized from the very beginning of growth and exhausted completely until stationary phase. The rate of cystine metabolization grew with its concentration to 500 micrograms/ml but decreased again with 1000 micrograms/ml. The excess sulfur was oxidized and excreted back into the medium mainly as inorganic sulfate. Moreover, sulfite was also produced which immediately reacted with the residual cystine in the medium giving rise to S-sulfocysteine. Sulfite excretion was higher in the initial phases of growth and on the medium with poorer growth (gelatin medium). The sulfate-to-sulfite ratio was different on the two media used but was little influenced by cystine concentration. The excretion of strongly acidic compounds (sulfate, sulfite, and S-sulfocysteine) reduced the usual alkalinization of the medium in the course of growth.