Authors : W.F. Sule, I.O. Okonko, T.A. Joseph, M.O. Ojezele, J.C. Nwanze, J.A. Alli, O.G. Adewale and O.J. Ojezele
Abstract: This study reports on the in vitro antifungal activity of Senna alata Linn. crude leaf extract on clinical test Dermatophytes. The studies on the in vitro investigation of antifungal activities of ethanolic extracts of Senna alata L. leaf was carried out. The test was conducted on Dermatophytes which included Dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. These fungi are the causative agents of various types of dermatophytosis which attack various parts of the body and tend to the following conditions, Tinea capitis, Tinea cruris, Tinea coporis and Tinea pedis. The results obtained showed that the leaf exudates and the ethanol extract of the leaf of Senna alata L. exhil: had marked antifungal effects on Microsporum canis, Trichophyton jirrucosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton jlorrcosum. The ethanolic extract showed the highest inhibition on trinchophyton verrucosuf and Epidermophyton jloccosum with 20.50 and 20.00 mm zone of inhibition, respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was also performed and the result showed that the MIC of Senna alata L. on all the tested Dermatophytes was 5.0 mg mL-1 which is the standard. The results obtain from the biochemical analysis of the plant Senna alata L. revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Saponins, Tannins, anthracionones and carbohydrates.
W.F. Sule, I.O. Okonko, T.A. Joseph, M.O. Ojezele, J.C. Nwanze, J.A. Alli, O.G. Adewale and O.J. Ojezele, 2010. In vitro Antifungal Activity of Senna alata Linn. Crude Leaf Extract. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 275-284.