Evaluation of Inhibitory Effect of Vernonia Cinerea L. Leaf Extracts on Different Fungal Species

Objective: Fungal infection is a very serious cosmetic problem which is of utmost concern globally, one such infection being Dandruff. Finding antidandruff molecules from natural sources is the current research focus among cosmetic researchers. Medicinal plants may offer a valuable source for antidandruff molecules. Hence, in the present study, Vernonia cinerea L. was studied for its antidandruff activities. Methods: Initially, V. cinerea plant leaves were extracted with different solvents and studied for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis. Furthermore, the antidandruff activity of ethyl acetate extract was studied and compared with a commercial antidandruff shampoo. In addition, the ethyl acetate extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography to elucidate the bioactive principles present in the extract. Results: From the data obtained, it was found that the ethyl acetate extract of V. cinerea leaves has shown very good antifungal activity at all concentrations tested. Also, the ethyl acetate extract exhibited excellent antidandruff activity against Pityrosporum ovale and Pityrosporum folliculitis. Ethyl acetate extract of V. cinerea has exhibited increased synergistic antidandruff activity with commercial product. Comparatively, the V. cinerea extracts alone or in combination with commercial product exhibited more antidandruff activity against P. folliculitis. Qualitative phytochemical tests, thin layer chromatography of ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated the presence of common alkaloids, carbohydrates and glycosides, glycosides, saponins, proteins, amino acids. Moreover, phenols were found to be the major active constituent in V. cinerea which constitutes as a good source of antidandruff agents. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the leaves of Vernonia cinerea can be further exploited for its therapeutic use against several fungal infections.