Comparative Efficacy of Antidermatophyte Creams Formulated from Ethanol Extracts of Cassia Occidentalis and Cassia Alata Leaves

Abstract

Incidence of drug resistance by dermatophytes is a worldwide concern. Researchers search for natural and better drugs to arrest the ugly situation. This study aims to formulate antidermatophyte Creams with ethanol extracts of the leaves of cassia alata and cassia occidentalis against four selected dermatophytes namely Trichophyton mentagrophtes, Microsporum audounii, Epidermophyton floccosum  and Malassezia furfur. Wistar rats were used in determining the efficacy of the formulated herbal creams by examining the biopsies of the skin of the infected rats for presence of fungal hyphae, tissue destruction, Inflammation of the skin, absence of sebaceous gland and also absence of hair follicles. Dekeratinization of the skin layer was also measured. From the result obtained, it was observed that the efficacy of the creams is concentration dependent. Cassia alata cream formulation was particularly effective against three of the dermatophytes namelyTrichophyton mentagrophtes (30.71± 0.51 µm) Microsporum audounii (36.17± 0.59 µm), and Epidermophyton floccosum (37.49± 0.18 µm) while Cassia occidentalis cream was effective against Malassezia furfur (33.22± 0.16 µm). The results showed that the plants ethanol extracts can be utilized in the management of dermatophytosis when formulated as a cream for topical use.