In- vitro Evaluation of Antifungal Effects of Euphorbia abyssinica (Desert Candle) Extract

Abstract

Aim: This study wastoevaluate extracts of Euphorbia abyssinicaa cactus-like plant of the family Euphorbiaceae commonly called desert candle or Kechiehbih by the kendem people of south-West Cameroon, for anti-fungal activity. Study Design: The Randomized Complete Block Design was used in the study, and the means that were significantly different were separated using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, between April 2011 and August 2012. Methodology: The stem-bark and latex of this plant were extracted using 50%-methanol, water and absolute methanol. Antifungal effect of the extracts was evaluated using agar, and macro-broth dilution methods as well as the Time kill assay. Results: Strains of Aspegillus, Rhizopus, Mucor, Rodotorula, Geotricum, Basidiobolus, Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton and Candida species were used as test fungi for the study. The extraction of the stem-bark yielded18%,15% and 25% for absolute methanol, water and 50% methanol, respectively, while the latex yielded 13%, 12% and 15% for absolute methanol, water and 50% methanol extracts respectively. The growth inhibition of the fungi tested lasted for 7-14 or more days of incubation on Sabouraud dextrose agar plates. MIC range was 0.39-50.0 mg/ml for the stem bark extracts and 1.95- 50.0 for the latex extracts. There was a significant difference in the growth inhibition by the 50% methanol extracts of the stem-bark and latex (P=0.5) with significant means of 5.361 and 7.1086 respectively. Candida albicans was the most susceptible of the yeasts tested (MIC90 0.313 mg/ml) and significant mean of, 0.896 and M. gypseum the least susceptible of the dermatophytes tested(significant mean 14.641).In the time kill assay, the results showed that T. mentagrophytes, M. gypseum and E. floccosumcells were killed by the higher concentrations (4MIC and 2MIC) of the plant extracts. Conclusion: The plant extracts showed broad spectrum of activity against a fungi tested. Results authenticated the ethno-medicinal applications of Euphorbia abyssinica for the treatment of skin infections.