ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CYANOTIS AXILLARIS (L.) D. DON EX SWEET AGAINST OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGAL STRAINS

Abstract

Objective: The main focus of the study was to compare and determine the antifungal activities of different solvent extracts of Cyanotis axillaris.Methods: The dried whole plant of C. axillaris was extracted by sequential extraction method using solvents hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol based on their polarity. The antifungal activity of the extracts was tested against 12 opportunistic fungal strains by disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using microtiter plate method.Results: The hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed significant antifungal activities. The highest antifungal activity was recorded for ethyl acetate extract of C. axillaris. In disc diffusion method at high concentration (5 mg/ml), the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the zone of inhibition>30 mm against C. krusei, mentagrophytes, Scopulariopsis sp. and B. cinerea. In MIC the ethyl acetate extract inhibited the growth of T. mentagrophytes, Scopulariopsis sp., B. cinerea in its low dose (0.031 mg/ml). The hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. axillaris did not show activity against M. gypseum, T. rubrum and E. floccosum.Conclusion: This is the first report for the antifungal efficacy of C. axillaris. The results proved that the extracts of C. axillaris have high potential antifungal principles which could fight against the opportunistic and multidrug resistant fungal strains.