Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 5 (1): 450 - 455. Published November 23, 2009.
In vitro assessment of anti - dermatophytic effect of active fraction of methanolic extracts of Acorus calamus
T.S. Subha* and A. Gnanamani
*Microbiology Division, Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR, New Delhi), Adyar, Chennai, India
*Corresponding author email: subhatss@gmail.com
SUMMARY
Dermatophytes are a group of closely related fungi that have the capacity to invade keratinized tissue (skin, hair, and nails) of humans and animals causing dermatophytosis. Treatment of these fungal infections requires prolonged therapy. Hence, new drug formulations especially of bio-based compounds that have relatively less or no side effects are currently being investigated to meet the new demands. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti- dermatophytic efficacy of the methanolic extracts of Acorus calamus under in vitro condition and to demonstrate the mode of action of the extract using clinical strains (obtained from patients suffering from prolonged severe dermatophytic infections). The results showed that the active fraction of the methanolic extract of A. calamus exhibits MIC at the lower concentration of 32ug/mL. To establish infections in the host, virulence factors are pivotal. Hence determining the effect of the active fraction on the virulence factors of dermatophytes such as secreted aspartyl proteases, neutral protease, alkaline protease, acid protease and keratinase, was attempted. The results were promising and proved that the active fraction of Acorus calamus reduced the virulence factors in terms of enzyme units.
Key words
Dermatophytes, active plant extracts, Acorus calamus
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