Antimycotic activity of the essential oil of Artemisia nilagirica

Abstract

During screening of essential oils isolated from leaves of 10 angiospermic taxa against dermatophytes Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton violaceum, the essential oil of Artemisia nilagirica was found to possess complete antidermatophytic activity by the poisoned food technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the oil was found to be 200 ppm. It was fungistatic in nature and had a broad fungitoxic spectrum. An ointment of the essential oil prepared in polyethylene glycol showed pronounced efficacy as a herbal antifungal agent against dermatomycosis induced in guinea-pigs within 14 days of application. The oil was standardized on the basis of its different physico chemical properties, such as specific gravity, specific rotation, refractive index, acid value, saponification value, carbonyl percentage and phenolic content. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.