Antifungal Activity of Red-stemmed Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. Extracts against Dermatophytes and Malassezia sp.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of the extracts of fresh and dry apical buds and flowers of red-stemmed Ipomoea aquatic Forsk. on the inhibition of three dermatophytes (Tricophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum gypseum) and two Malassezia species (M. furfur and M. globosa). Method: The disc diffusion was performed to determine the antifungal activity of the extracts, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was measured using a broth micro-dilution method. Results: The extracts of dry apical buds and flowers of red-stemmed type of Ipomoea aquatic Forsk. inhibited T. rubrum, E. floccosum, M. gypseum and M. globosa. Fresh apical bud extracts inhibited E. floccosum and M. globose, whereas those of fresh flowers were for only E. floccosum. However, none of four types of extracts exhibited antifungal activity against M. furfur. When tested with the broth micro-dilution technique, all four extract inhibited E. floccosum the most at the MIC of 25 mg/ml. Conclusion: The extracts of dry apical buds and flowers of red-stemmed Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. could inhibit dermatophytes and Malassezia sp. in vitro. The result was consistent with the use of Thai folklore remedy against skin infections of dermatophytes and Malassezia sp. Keywords: Antifungal activity, red-stemmed Ipomoea aquatic Forsk., fungus, dermatophytes, Malassezia sp.