Antifungal Activity of Ethanol and Aqueous Extracts of Euphorbia hirta Linn against Clinical Isolates of Dermatophytes

Antifungal Activity of Ethanol and Aqueous Extracts of Euphorbia hirta Linn against Clinical Isolates of Dermatophytes

Deborah Madi Dibal, Sarah Sanmilo Sheriff, Matthew Chika Emere, and Muazu Muhammed

 

  1. Department of biological sciences, Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
  2. Department of Environmental Science, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.

 

Key words:

Antifungal activity, Euphorbia hirta, Dermatophytes, Clinical isolatest

 

 

 

 

*Corresponding author:

muazmed@gmail.com;
DOI:https://doi.org/10.61594/tnpr.v6i3.2025.136

Page No: 225-231
Volume: 6, Issue 3, 2025
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

Abstract

Medicinal plants have evolved into essential preventive and therapeutic aids for various ailments. Dermatophytosis, a zoonotic disease caused by dermatophytes, is a significant public health problem, particularly in African countries. This study was conducted to determine the antifungal activity of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia hirta against clinical isolates of dermatophytes. Fresh leaves, stems, flowers, and whole plants of Euphorbia hirta were collected and processed for further studies. Samples of clinical isolates and broken hair samples of dermatophytes were collected from the dermatology unit of Barau Dikko-Teaching Hospital, Kaduna. The samples were subjected to microscopic examination and culture identification using standard protocols. Standardization of test organisms and determination of the antifungal activities of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia hirta against clinically isolated dermatophytes were performed using standard methods. The results revealed that the antifungal susceptibility of the ethanol extract of the whole plant was higher than that of the other extracts. Similar highest susceptibility patterns were observed with the ethanol extract of the whole plant against Trichophyton rubrum, T. species, and Epidermophyton fluccosum. Most T. rubrum isolates had higher MIC values for 100% aqueous extracts, ranging from 0.05-6 µg/mL. In contrast, 100% ethanol extracts were more effective in inhibiting T. rubrum at lower MIC values (0.04–1 µg/ml).