Phytochemical screening and antifungal activity of Cassia alata (Linn.) crude leaf extracts

The antimycotic effect of Casia alata (Linn.) commonly used for the treatment skin diseases by local people in Nigeria was evaluated against dermatophytes (Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton rubrum, mentagrophytes, Microsporum audouinii, canis, gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum). Ten-fold serially diluted extract concentrations were subjected to phytochemical screening and activity phytochemicals via broth microdilution. percentage yield crude aqueous, n-hexane, chloroform, ethanol, methanol leaf extracts Cassia Linn 5.6, 5.7, 1.6, 4.8, 2.8%, respectively. Important including glycosides, anthraquinone, proteins, cardiac steroids, alkaloids, phlabotannin, phenols, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates present all extracts. All inhibited but at varying degrees. Similar minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 1.56 3.125 mg/mL each n-hexane chloroform MIC 0.78 ethanol estimated. fungicidal (MFC) 6.25 mg/mL, observed maximally active E. floccosum. In conclusion, potent anti-dermatophytic may be driven their numerous phytochemicals, which justify its traditional uses could considerably illicit interest development new drug leads.   Key words: Dermatophytes, Linn., Crude extract, Phytochemicals, Antifungal.