Abstract
The antifungal activity of Anastatica hierochuntica L. was studied using ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts against fungal pathogens by the well diffusion method. Methanol extract (150mg/mL) showed maximum inhibition against Microsporum audouinii followed by ethanol extract (150mg/mL) against Candida albicans. The extracts showed same inhibition pattern when compared with standard antifungal agents such as amphotericin B and nystatin (100 mu g/mL). Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that the extracts contain alkaloids and phenolic content. The minimum inhibitory concentration of A. hierochuntica against Candida albicans was 22mg/mL, followed by Cladosporium sp (25 mg/mL). Aspergillus flavus and Epidermophyton floccosum were inhibited by 50mg/mL concentration; whereas, Fusarium sp. was inhibited by 100mg/mL and Microsporum audouinii by 150mg/mL. The results of the present study show that A. hierochuntica contain antifungal components which can be explored further for antifungal formulations to cure mycosis.