Antifungal Efficacy of Saponin Extracted from Phyllanthus niruri

Abstract

The in-vitro and in-vivo antifungal activities of saponin extracted from Phyllanthus niruri were investigated. The proximate composition of the plant determined using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists showed that the moisture, dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, total ash and fat were available in 1.34 g, 98.66 g, 12.33 g 18.45 g, 7.36 g and 2.54 g/100 g respectively. The elemental analysis determined using the Flame- Photometric method reveals the presence of major, minor and trace elements in appreciable quantities. Nine elements; Zn Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe and P were present. The susceptibility of three Trichophyton species determined by the radial- mycelial methods showed that T. mentagrophytes was more susceptible to the saponin. These favourable effects point to the potential of the saponin as a remedy against mycotic infections caused by T. mentagrophytes. The fact that this extract exerted an inhibitory effect on these epidermal fungi indicates that they can potentially be further developed into antifungal clinically used agents.