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In vitro
evaluation of the antifungal activity of Sclerocarya
birrea
extracts against
pathogenic yeasts
P. Masoko*, T. J. Mmushi, M. M. Mogashoa, M. P. Mokgotho,
L. J. Mampuru and R. L. Howard
University
of Limpopo, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and
Biotechnology, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South
Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
masokop@ul.ac.za. Tel:
+27 15 268 2340. Fax: +27 15 268 3234.
Accepted
2 September, 2008 |
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The antifungal activity of
Sclerocarya birrea
which is used in South African traditional medicine for the
treatment of skin diseases was evaluated against three
yeasts; Candida parapsilosis,
Cryptococcus albidus and Rhodoturula mucilaginosa.
Barks of S. birrea
were extracted with hexane, dichloromethane (DCM),
chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and ethanol and
tested against these three yeasts.
The antifungal assay was performed by the
microdilution technique and bioautography. Thin layer
chromatography was used to analyze the phytocompounds of the
extracts as well as to assay the plant for antioxidant
compounds. More compounds with antioxidant activity were
observed in polar separation system, ethyl
acetate:methanol:water (EMW). All test organisms were
resistant against all non-polar extracts. Acetone, ethanol
and methanol S. birrea
extracts had average MIC values of 0.39, 0.22 and 0.27
mg/ml, respectively. C. albidus was the most
sensitive organism with an average MIC value of 0.17 mg/ml.
Average total activity was highest for methanol (387 ml/g)
followed by ethanol (363 ml/g) and acetone (299 ml/g) bark
extracts. Acetone and methanolic bark extracts were more
active in EMW system at Rf values of 0.07, 0.32
and 0.70 against C. parapsilosis. The results showed
that the plant could be further explored for possible
antifungal agents and provides preliminary scientific
validation of the traditional medicinal use of this plant.
Key
words:
Antifungal activity,
Sclerocarya birrea, minimum inhibitory
concentration, bioautography, antioxidant. |
