In vitro antimycotic activity of extracts of some medicinal plants against Piedra hair infection

Original Article Piedra hair infection is a fungal infection of the hair characterized by the presence of nodules of different hardness on the surface of hair shafts. Two types of Piedras have been found, White Piedra and Black Piedra. White Piedra caused by Basidiomycetous yeast Trichosporon spp. and Black Piedra caused by the ascomycete Piedraia hortae and Trichosporon ovoides. The low spread of these infections and the harmlessness of the disease probably explain why so few studies have been made on these infections. The present work is aimed at studying the antimycotic activity of ten medicinal plants in comparison to known antifungal agents against five Trichosporon species involved in Piedra hair infection. These plants selected for the present study have been reported to be used for the treatment of various other diseases. Methanol, Ethanol, Acetone and Chloroform extracts of the leaves, bark and roots of these plants were examined for antimycotic activity. The results showed that methanol and ethanol extracts were effective against all the species of the pathogens tested, with methanolic extracts exhibiting more activity. The average diameter of zone of inhibition observed against these fungi ranged from 10-35 mm. The most effective plant was found to be Plumbago zeylanica with zone of inhibition 35 mm. The MIC and MFC of 6.2-500 mg/ml of methanolic extracts were recorded. Ketoconazole and Nystatin B were used as positive controls. DMSO was used as a negative control.