Volume 8, Issue 1 (1-2026)
pbp 2026, 8(1): 0-0 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Muhammad S, Abubakar F. Antifungal Activity of Mitracarpus hirtus Leaf Extract against Dermatophytes Isolated from Ringworm Patients. pbp 2026; 8 (1)
URL: http://pbp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-323-en.html
URL: http://pbp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-323-en.html
1- Department of Microbiology, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Nigeria
2- Department of Microbiology, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Nigeria. ,farida.abubakar@ksusta.edu.ng
2- Department of Microbiology, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Nigeria. ,
Abstract: (308 Views)
The increasing prevalence of dermatophytic infections and the growing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs necessitate the exploration of alternative therapies, particularly from medicinal plants. Mitracarpus hirtus, traditionally used in Nigeria for treating skin infections, was investigated for its antifungal activity against dermatophytes isolated from patients with ringworm. Aqueous extracts of M. hirtus leaves were prepared and screened for phytochemical constituents. Clinical samples were collected from patients in Birnin Kebbi, and dermatophyte species were isolated and identified. The antifungal activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract of Mitracarpus hirtus revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and cyanogenic glycosides, all known for their antimicrobial properties. Glycosides and volatile oils were not detected. Clinical samples collected from ringworm-infected patients, yielded a total of 34 dermatophyte isolates. The identified species included Trichophyton mentagrophyte (29.4%), T. rubrum (14.7%), T. beigelii (20.6%), Microsporum canis (17.6%), and Epidermophyton floccosum (17.6%). T. mentagrophyte was the most prevalent isolate. Results showed a concentration-dependent antifungal effect. The extract exhibited inhibition zones ranging from 12 mm at 20 mg/mL to 26 mm at 100 mg/mL. The strongest inhibition (26 mm) was observed against T. rubrum and M. canis at the highest concentration tested. E. floccosum was the least susceptible isolate, showing a maximum inhibition of 21 mm. These findings validate the ethno medicinal use of M. hirtus and highlight its potential for development into plant-based antifungal formulations. Further studies are recommended to isolate active compounds, elucidate mechanisms of action, and evaluate clinical efficacy.
Keywords: Mitracarpus hirtus, Antifungal activity, Dermatophytes, Phytochemical screening, Ringworm infections
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Herbal Drugs
Received: 2025/07/11 | Accepted: 2025/12/1 | Published: 2025/12/1
Received: 2025/07/11 | Accepted: 2025/12/1 | Published: 2025/12/1
References
1. Adama, D., Insa, S., Ismaïla, C., Fama, N. S., Aïcha, B. L., & Matar, S. (2022). Phytochemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Antibacterial , Antifungal and Nntioxidant activities of leaf extracts of mitracarpus hirtus (rubiaceae). World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 11(6), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpr20226-24226
2. Ado, A. B., Odda, J., Aliero, A. A., & Oloro, J. (2018). Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Ethanolic Crude extract of M . Hirtus Plant against Dermatophytes. Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 3(March), 18–23.
3. Ahmed, S. K., Hussein, S., Qurbani, K., Ibrahim, R. H., Fareeq, A., Mahmood, K. A., & Mohamed, M. G. (2024). Antimicrobial resistance: Impacts, challenges, and future prospects. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2(1), 100081. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100081
4. Ali-Shtayeh, M. S., & Ghdeib, S. I. A. (1999). Antifungal activity of plant extracts against dermatophytes. Mycoses, 672(42), 665–672.
5. Binoodha, R., Priya, V., & Subramanian, K. K. (2022). Macro and Microscopic Characters of Mitracarpus Hirtus. Bodhi International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Science, 6(4), 74–83.
6. Câmara, J. S., Perestrelo, R., Ferreira, R., Berenguer, C. V, Pereira, J. A. M., & Castilho, P. C. (2024). Plant-Derived Terpenoids: A Plethora of Bioactive Compounds with Several Health Functions and Industrial Applications—A Comprehensive Overview. In Molecules (Vol. 29, Issue 16, pp. 38–61). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163861
7. Coopoosamy, R., Singh, K., Naidoo, K., & Nadasan, D. S. (2023). The role of phytomedicine: Bridging the gap between the past, present, and future. Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/jomped.v7i1.197
8. Deng, R., Wang, X., & Li, R. (2023). Dermatophyte infection: from fungal pathogenicity to host immune responses. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1285887. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285887
9. Ekalu, A. (2021). Medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Mitracarpus species (Rubiaceae): A review. Scientific African, 11, e00692. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00692
10. Ekor, M. (2014). The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4(177). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2013.00177
11. Enechukwu, N. A., & Adeola, O. O. (2024). A review of indigenous therapies for hair and scalp disorders in Nigeria. Dermatologic Therapy, e(15505). https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.15505
12. Etienne, O. K., Dall’Acqua, S., Sinan, K. I., Ferrarese, I., Sut, S., Sadeer, N. B., Mahomoodally, M. F., Ak, G., & Zengin, G. (2021). Chemical characterization, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects of Mitracarpus hirtus extracts. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 194, 113799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113799
13. Huang, W., Wang, Y., Tian, W., Cui, X., Tu, P., Li, J., Shi, S., & Liu, X. (2022). Biosynthesis Investigations of Terpenoid, Alkaloid, and Flavonoid Antimicrobial Agents Derived from Medicinal Plants. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland), 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11101380
14. Kabiru, H. D., Ahmad, K. B., Idris, O. S., & Ahuoiza, S. R. (2022). Antioxidant Activity and In Vitro Inhibition Property of Mitrocarpus hirtus Leaf Extracts Against Tinea capitis (Scalp Ringworm). International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability, 8(4), 99–106.
15. Kainz, K., Bauer, M. A., Madeo, F., & Carmona-Gutierrez, D. (2020). Fungal infections in humans: the silent crisis. In Microbial cell (Graz, Austria) (Vol. 7, Issue 6, pp. 143–145). https://doi.org/10.15698/mic2020.06.718
16. Maldonado Miranda, J. J. (2021). Chapter 7 - Medicinal plants and their traditional uses in different locations. In R. A. Bhat, K. R. Hakeem, & M. A. B. T.-P. Dervash (Eds.), Phytomedicine (pp. 207–223). Academic Press. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824109-7.00014-5
17. Mokhtar, T., Muazu, A. S., & Yusuf, A. J. (2022). Phytochemical , Toxicological and In vitro Antifungal Studies of Mitracarpus hirtus. Plant Biotechnology Persa, 4(2), 48–56. https://doi.org/10.52547/pbp.4.2.3
18. Ogu, E., Bibinu, D. S., Chidebe, I., Emeje, M., Abdullahi, M., & Roko, G. (2024). Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants: Current Situation and Outlook. In V. Y. Waisundara (Ed.), Medicinal Plants - Harnessing the Healing Power of Plants. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1005828
19. Prohic, A. (2024). Fungal Skin Infections. In A. Prohic (Ed.), Dermatovenerology Textbook (pp. 107–121). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-66131-0_6
20. Rodrigues, M. L., & Nosanchuk, J. D. (2020). Fungal diseases as neglected pathogens: A wake-up call to public health officials. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14(2), e0007964. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007964
21. Sharma, T., Pandey, B., Shrestha, B. K., Koju, G. M., Thusa, R., & Karki, N. (2020). Phytochemical Screening of Medicinal Plants and Study of the Effect of Phytoconstituents in Seed Germination. Tribhuvan University Journal, 35(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3126/tuj.v35i2.36183
22. Surendran, K., Bhat, R. M., Boloor, R., Nandakishore, B., & Sukumar, D. (2014). A clinical and mycological study of dermatophytic infections. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 59(3), 262–267. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.131391
23. Yannick Stéphane, F. F., Jean Jules, B. K., Bruno, L. N., El-Saber Batiha, G., & Ali, I. (2021). Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Herbs. In H. El-Shemy (Ed.), Natural Medicinal Plants. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98602
24. Zafar, A., Jabeen, K., & Farooqi, J. (2017). Practical Guide and Atlas for the Diagnosis of Fungal Infections.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |