Antifungal Activity of Different Extracts of Andrographis paniculata on Fungi Isolated from Salon Equipment in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Most barbing equipment are contaminated by fungi due to unproven methods of cleaning and sterilization. This research was carried out to investigate the antifungal potential of Andrographis paniculata on fungi isolated from salon equipment in Rivers State, Nigeria. From Bori, Omoku and Port Harcourt, a total of one hundred and eighty (180) swab samples from clipper, brush and combs were subjected to standard mycological procedures such as culturing, using dermatophyte test medium and sabouraud dextrose agar and identified using macroscopic and microscopic method. Total number of fungal isolates (44), belonging to six genera from the study locations were, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terrus, Fusarium solani, Mucor indicus, Rhizopus nigricans, Trichophyton rubrum and Penicillium italicum and were subjected to ethanol, methanol and crude extract of A. paniculata. Results showed that the highest level of inhibitions for ethanol extract of A. paniculata in Bori were Aspergillus terrus (100%) and Trichophyton rubrum (100%), in Omoku, Fusarium solani (100%), Aspergillus terrus (100%) and Trichophyton rubrum (100%). In Port Harcourt, Penicillium italicum (100%), Aspergillus flavus (100%), Fusarium solani (100%), Rhizopus nigricans (100%) and Trichophyton rubrum (100%). For methanol extracts all fungal isolates from Bori were completely inhibited but for Omoku all isolates except Penicillium italicum(33.3%) and Rhizopus nigricans(33.3%) were inhibited. For Port Harcourt, all fungal isolates were completely inhibited except Aspergillus terrus (33.3%). Crude extracts showed minimal inhibitory activity with the highest being Penicillium italicum(33.3%) for Bori, Penicillium italicum(33.3%) and Rhizopus nigricans(33.3%) for Omoku and Fusarium solani(33.3%) for Port Harcoourt. The activity of the extract on the fungal isolates were concentration dependent especially as high concentrations of the extracts proved more potent than those with low concentrations. The extracts has the potential to be used in treating diseases that might arise as a result of using barbing equipment contaminated with pathogenic fungi.