Efficacy of the Rhinacanthus nasutus Nees Leaf Extract on Dermatophytes with Special Reference to Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis

The effect of Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf extract on the growth of dermatophytes had been investigated. In vitro the extract exhibited high activity against various species of dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, T. rubrum, Microsporum canis and M. gypseum). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the extract revealed that all the dermatophytes tested had MIC values of 13.6 mg/ml. The extract exhibited fungistatic activity at lower concentrations $({\leq}13.6\;mg/ml\;or\;below\;the\;MIC\;value)$ and fungicidal activity at higher concentrations $({\geq}13.6\;mg/ml$\;or\;above\;the\;MIC\;value)$. The results suggested that the extract acted on the cell wall of the dermatophytes which subsequently leading to the formation of cytopathological and membrane structural degeneration and finally leading to cell lysis and death.