Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT FROM THE LEAVES OF CARAPA PROCERA DC (MELIACEAE) AND DIOSPYROS MESPILIFORMIS HOCHST. EX A. DC (EBENACEAE), TWO PLANTS TRADITIONALLY USED IN THE TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASES IN THE PORO REGION (CÔ

Kanga Yao*, Ambe Alain Serge Augustin and Soro Dramane

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Abstract

In response to the growing issue of microbial resistance to antibiotics and to promote the valorization of natural substances, this study evaluated the efficacy of aqueous extracts from the leaves of Diospyros mespiliformis and Carapa procera against the in vitro growth of Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum. The extracts were obtained through dehydration at 50°C for four days. They were subsequently incorporated into Sabouraud agar using a twofold dilution method in inclined tubes. The results indicated that the strain of Trichophyton rubrum tested was most sensitive to the aqueous extract of Diospyros mespiliformis, exhibiting a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 mg/ml, a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 3.17 mg/ml, and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 12.5 mg/ml. Furthermore, phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes, tannins, and saponins. These in vitro findings support the traditional use of these plants in the treatment of superficial mycoses.

Keywords: antifungal activities, Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Diospyros mespiliformis, Carapa procera.