Antidermatophytic activities of column chromatographic fractions and toxicity studies of Pergularia tomentosa L. and Mitracarpus scaber Zucc used in the treatment of dermatophytoses

Abstract

This research was conducted on antidermatophytic activities of column chromatographic fractions and toxicity studies of Pergularia tomentosa and Mitracarpus scaber used in the treatment of dermatophytoses. Column chromatographic fractionation of P. tomentosa and M. scaber (leaves) was investigated. The column revealed five (5) fractions, each of N- hexane and chloroform extracts. These fractions were HX1 to HX5 and CHL1 to CHL5 respectively. The antidermatophytic activities of the column fractions was tested, showed that (CHL4) and (CHL1) were active against T. rubrum, T. mentagrophyte and M. gypseum at 10 mg/ml. The results of toxicity studies of the plants carried out on experimental rabbits indicated that the infected rabbits treated with hexane and chloroform extracts of the two plants were effective on treatment at concentration of 10 mg/ml. A very slight erythema was observed only on rabbits treated with hexane extract of M. scaber. From the results it can be concluded that the two extracts of P. tomentosa and M. scaber exhibited strong antidermatophytic activities against most of the isolates tested more than the conventional antifungal drug (Griseofulvin). The high quantities of saponins and flavonoids components of the two plants might be responsible for their activities. The results of animal testing showed that the plants (leaves) extracts are safe for topical application on the skin as claimed by traditional healers.

Keywords: Antidermatophytic activities, column chromatography, toxicity studies, plants, dermatophytoses.