Preliminary anti-onychomycosis efficacy study of cream from selected medicinal plant

Abstract

Objectives:
Our study aims to investigate anti-dermatophyte activities  against 3 dermatogens relevant to onychomycosis (T.mentagrophytes DMST 19735, T.  mentagrophytes ATCC 9533, and T. rubrum ATCC 10218) of 8 herbal extracts (P.betle L.(A), A.nervosa (Burm.f.) Bojer (B), P.granatum L. (C), P. sarmentosum Roxb.(D), R.nasutus  (L.) Kurz (E), P. obtusa L.(F), M. elliptica  Ridl. (G), and C.adansonii  DC. subsp. trifoliata (Roxb.) Jacobs (H)), to compare anti-dermatogen potency of the seleced one with 5 antifungal agents (econazole, miconazole, ketoconazole, metronidazole, and voriconazole) against the tested strains, to determine MIC of the selected one, and to evaluate anti-onychomycosis potency of cream from selected plant against the 3 dermatogens.
Methods:
The anti-dermatogen activities of the 8 extracts against the tested strains were evaluated by disk diffusion method. Plant extracts that possessed strong antifungal effect would be selected to compare its potency with 5 antifungal  agents by the same protocol. The MIC of the selected one was also determined by agar dilution method. Cream containing the selected plant extract was formulated and evaluated antifungal efficacy by using hole diffusion method.
Results:
Among the 8 extracts, A possessed  the  significantly strongest  antifungal   action with its inhibition zones ranging from 35.77-73.33 mm. It exhibited the significantly higher  anti-dermatophytic   activity than 5 antifungal agents did.  The best MIC value of A was 100 µg/ml. Formulated cream containing 0.1 % (w/w) of A had antifungal potency against all tested strains with its inhibition zone ranging from 22.08 - 23.86 mm., respectively.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate the possibility to use the formulated cream from P.betel Linn. extract  as antimycotic agent for  onychomycosis  treatment.