Phytochemical screening, antidermatophytic potential and GC-MS analysis of traditional medicinal plants

A study was designed to determine the phytochemical constituents and antidermatophytic potentiality of traditional medicinal plants Acalypha indica L (whole plant and leaves) and Cassia alata L (leaves). The preliminary phytochemical analysis was performed by standard phytochemical procedures whereas antidermatophytic activity was carried out by agar disc diffusion method against fungal pathogens (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum) and bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Among the selected plants, presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins and phenols was registered invariably in different solvent extracts of plant parts. Of which, C.alata leaves recorded highest amount of 9.87 mg/g and 8.38 mg/g flavonoids and carbohydrates respectively. In antidermatophytic activity, the maximum inhibition zone of 11.54 +/- 0.39 mm was registered in petroleum ether extract of A. indica whole plant against S. pyogenes at 100 mu l concentration. The least activity was registered in ethanol extract of C. alata leaf with 6.01 +/- 0.47 mm inhibition zone at 75 mu l concentration. Antibiotic erythromycin and amphotericin B were used as positive control against bacterial and fungal pathogens respectively. Amongst all the extracts tested, petroleum ether extract of both plants, showed positive response against dermatophyte pathogens. TLC and GC-MS analysis of A. indica revealed 6 bands and 23 peaks followed by C. alata with 5 bands and 17 peaks in petroleum ether extract. From this study, it is concluded that petroleum ether extracts of A. indica and C. alata possess phytoconstituents with antidermatophytic potentiality. Also, it offers a scientific platform and baseline information for further analysis such as isolation and standardization of its bioactive compounds as herbal alternative for dermatophyte infections.