Antimicrobial Potential of Flavonoids (Free and Bound) of Euphorbia hirta against Selected Dermatophytes Strains

Background

Dermatophytosis/Tinea/ringworm is one of the most infectious diseases of humans, caused by invasion of stratum corneum by dermatophytic fungi viz. Trichophyton species, Microsporum species and Epidermophyton species, though not fatal infections are unpleasant, unhygienic to have and re-occurrence is very common. In recent years, especially during and after COVID 19 pandemic, the development of natural products to produce more cost-effective remedies for different diseases that are affordable to the common man is now being explored from plants. Euphorbia hirta of the family Euporbiaceae is well known for its medicinal properties in traditional and folklore medicinal systems. Euphorbia hirta possesses antifungal properties that may be effective against dermatophytic fungi responsible for causing ringworm.

Materials and Methods

Different parts of the plant were taken for the extraction of flavonoids by a well-established protocol with some modifications. Agar well diffusion method, Two-fold dilution method and Total activity determination were carried out to establish the antidermatophytic activity of flavonoids from different parts of the plant

Results

Significant Inhibition Zone (IZ) and Activity Index (AI) were observed against Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum, and Epidermophyton floccosm from free flavonoid of the leaf; bound flavonoid of fruit; and bound flavonoid of the root. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) recorded were more or less similar to that of standard drugs.

Conclusion

The present study suggests metabolite profiling of different parts of E. hirta. Flavonoids from the plant could be used as a source for the development of alternative drugs for the topical treatment of dermatophytosis.