ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF

AKAPULKO (Senna alata)

AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS AGAINST
DERMATOPHYTIC FUNGI
(Microsporum gypseum)
(Lam, Kilayko, Salamanca)
 General Objectives

Generally, this study aims to conduct an experiment to analyze

if Akapulko (Senna alata) aqueous leaf extracts will have an
antifungal activity against dermatophytic fungi (Microsporum
Gypseum) based on zone of inhibition.
 Specific Objectives

Specifically, this study would like to:

1. determine the antifungal activity of Akapulko (Senna alata)
aqueous leaf extracts against dermatophytic fungi (Microsporum
gypseum) based on zone of inhibition.
2. determine the efficacy of Akapulko (Senna alata) aqueous
leaf extracts against dermatophytic fungi (Microsporum
gypseum) based on zone of inhibition.
What are Skin Diseases?

conditions that affect your skin

(Hay et al., 2014)

may cause rashes, inflammation,

itchiness or other skin changes

may be genetic, while some

lifestyle factors may cause it too
 Types of Skin Diseases

There are different types of skin diseases and these are:

Acne
Atopic Dermatitis
Alopecia
Hirsutism
Hyperhidrosis
Psoriasis
Skin Cancer
Sexually Transmitted Infections

References: Mian et al. Int Arch Intern Med 2019, 3:018

The Impact of Skin Diseases

have profound negative psychosocial

impacts
What are Dermatophytes?

organisms that are able to break down the

keratin in tissues such as the epidermis, hair,
nails, feathers, horns and hooves.

infect human skin cells for their content of

keratin protein
What is Dermatophytosis?

a common contagious disease

caused by fungi known as
dermatophytes. Tinea

known as tinea or ringworm, in

association with the infected body
part

Ringworm
Dermatophytosis is caused by pathogenic,
keratin-digesting fungi in the genera:

Microsporum
Trichophyton
Epidermophyton
Microsporum gypseum

a geophilic dermatophyte, occurring

worldwide in the soil in its natural
reservoir, where it colonizes keratinous Culture
substrates as a saprophyte (Rezaei-
Matehkolaei et al., 2017)

most commonly presented as tinea

corporis, with some geographical and
occupational variations.

Microsporum gypseum
Symptoms

The main symptoms of

dermatophytosis are the itching that
depended on the site of infection on
human body Dermatophytosis

Tinea corporis reveals a little severe

itching in the location of infection.

The center area of the lesion is clear in

most glabrous skin infections.

Tinea Corporis
Treatment for Dermatophytosis

Treatment of dermatophytosis can

perform by two pharmaceutical forms
of drugs: Topical and systemic drugs
Clotrimazole
Most of ringworm lesions on glabrous
skin that limited size can be treated
by topical creams or solution as
shampoo, such as Clotrimazole and
Miconazole, etc. (Straten et al., 2003).

Miconazole
Mechanism of Action

Currently used antifungal drugs are distinct in terms

of spectrum of activity, potency, therapeutic index,
development of resistance, and mode of use.

An important factor in the usefulness of a

compound is the mechanism by which it attacks
the structure and function of the fungal cell.

The target organelles have been established for

most antifungal drugs.
Plants with Antifungal Activities

Psidium guajava
Curcuma longa
Persea americana
Senna alata
Senna alata

an important medicinal plant as well as

ornamental flowering plant

The aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Senna

alata tested on Candida albicans, Aspergillus
niger, Penicillium notatum, Microsporium canis
and Trichophyton mentagrophytes showed a
dose dependent antifungal activity.
Taxonomic Description
an ornamental flowering plant in the subfamily
Caesalpinioideae.

It is also known as a candelabra bush, empress

candle plant, ringworm tree, or candle tree.

A remarkable species of Senna, it was

sometimes seperated in its own genus,
Herpetica. The shrub stands 3-4 meters tall, with
leaves 50-80cm long. The inflorescence looks
like a yellow candle. The fruit, shaped like a
straight pod, is up to 25cm long.
Phytochemical Analysis

tannins
saponins
flavonoids
alkaloids
terpenoids
cardiac glycosides
quinones
Medicinal Uses

Different parts and constituents of the plant were

reported to exhibit several therapeutic properties,
such as antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and
analgesic.

Senna alata is credited for the treatment of

haemorrhoids, constipation, inguinal hernia,
intestinal parasitosis, blenorrhgia, syphilis and
diabetes (Abo et al., 1998; Adjanahoun et al., 1991;
Kochar, 1981).
Basis Why It Can Be Used to Treat
Diseases Caused by Dermatophytes

Senna alata has shown antifungal activities that

can be used to treat dermatophytic infections.

This plant has traditionally been used to treat

bacterial and fungal infections that cause foot
infections, subcutaneous parasitic infections,
intestinal parasitism, venereal diseases, and other
illnesses.
 Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Subject Dependent Variable

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
Akapulko (Senna alata)
aqueous leaf extracts Dermatophytic Fungi Antifungal Activity
(Microsporum
CONTROL GROUP gypseum)
Negative Control
Theoretical Framework

No aqueous leaf extracts

Positive Control
Antifungal Cream