Preliminary studies on the antifungal activities of the successive extracts of Mitracarpus villosus (Sw.) Dc aerial parts obtained in Abuja, Nigeria

Aim: A worldwide increase in the incidence of fungal infections has been observed in the past few decades, with a rise in the resistance of some fungal species to different fungicidal agents used in medicinal practice. This study aims at evaluating the antifungal properties of Mitracarpus villosus. Methodology and results: The aerial parts of M. villosus was subjected to successive extraction with hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol. The powdered plant was screened for phyto-compounds. Antifungal activities of the ethyl acetate extracts against clinical isolates of Candida albicans, C. krusei, Trichophyton verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes, Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger were investigated using agar diffusion, broth dilution and micro broth dilution methods. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the fungal isolates to fluconazole and ketoconazole were also determined. Phytochemical screening of Mitracarpus villosus revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes, phenols and resins. The results of the zones of inhibition showed that the ethyl acetate extract of Mitracarpus villosus produced the strongest antifungal activity with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 18.67-21.67 mm at an exposure concentration of 12.5 mg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration values of the ethyl acetate extract against all the fungal isolates tested were 0.5-2.0 mg/mL and 2.0-8.0 mg/mL respectively. Conclusion, significance and impact study: The results confirm the claims of traditional healers in the use of the plant. This plant holds great promise for development into phytomedicine for the treatment of fungal infections in the near future.