Phytochemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Aqueous and N-Hexane Extracts of Calotropis procera Leaf

Abstract

Natural products play important roles in drug discovery and development process, particularly in the field of infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the antifungal activity of aqueous and n hexane leaf extracts. The qualitative phytochemical study was performed according to standard methods. Antifungal activity of aqueous and n-hexane leaf extracts of Calotropis procera against dermatophyte (Microsporum spp and Trichophyton spp) at different concentrations (20mg/Ml, 30mg/mL, 40mg/mL, 50mg/mL and 60mg/mL) was carried out using agar incorporation method. The result of the qualitative phytochemical studies showed the presence of steroids, tannins, glycosides, phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins in aqueous extract of C. procera, while the n-hexane leaf extract showed absence of alkaloids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. There was complete inhibition of the growth of Microsporum spp and Trichophyton spp, after 14 days of culture with the aqueous extracts of Calotropis procera and at different concentrations (1.33mg/mL and 2.66mg/mL) of n-hexane leaf extract, there was complete inhibition of the growth. The result showed higher antifungal activity when compared to a conventional drug; fulcin