In vitro Antidermatophytic Activity of Diospyros crassiflora Hiern (Ebenaceae)

Background: Dermatophytoses constitute an important public health problem as yet unresolved. In most African countries, traditional phytomedicine is used to make faces at this disease. Plants from the genus Diospyros are known for their various biological activities, but Diospyros crassiflora has not been previously performed for antidermatophytic activity. Objectives: To study the In vitro antidermatophytic activity of extract from the stem bark of Diospyros crassiflora and to isolate the active compound responsible for the activity observed. Methods: Clinical isolates of dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum canis, Microsporum langeronii, Microsporum gypseum) were tested in vitro by cup-plate agar diffusion and broth macrodilution methods. Results The growth of all dermatophytes tested was inhibited by the extract and plumbagin. The diameter of inhibition zones varied from 9-13 mm and from 10-18 mm for the extract and plumbagin respectively. MIC's (Minimal inhibitory concentration) values ranged from 6.25-12.5 mg/ml for the extract and 3.12-6.25 µg/ml for plumbagin. Extract showed fungicidal effect at a concentration of 12.5 mg/ml on T. rubrum. Plumbagin was fungicidal on all dermatophytes tested at 12.5 µg/ml excepted T. rubrum (6.25 µg/ml). Conclusion: Extract from the stem bark of Diospyros crassiflora posses tremendous antidermatophytic activity, the active principle responsible for the activity is a naphtoquinone plumbagin. Compared to ketoconazole used as standard antifungal the compound isolate could be considered as a promising antidermatophytic agent. Keywords: antidermatophytic activity, Diospyros crassiflora, plumbagin Sudanese Journal of Dermatology Vol. 4(1) 2006: 10-1