Antidermatophytic activity of garlic (Allium Sativum) extract on dermatophytes isolated from children of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue State

Abstract

Forty related species of fungi belonging to the dermatophytic genus, such as Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton, have been discovered by studies as possible etiological agents of dermatophytosis. The Antidermatophytic activity of methanolic extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) was investigated against isolates of dermatophytes obtained from fifty primary school children in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. Garlic extracts were obtained using the cold maceration method, and the isolates were obtained using standard microbiological methods. The isolated organisms were Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton species. The zones of inhibition obtained were recorded in mean ± standard deviation of duplicate values. Trychophytum sp exhibited a mean value of 15.50±0.71, Epidermophytum sp had 9.00±0.00, while Microsporum sp had 10.50±0.71, all at 50mg respectively. At 100mg, the mean zones of inhibition were 20.50±2.12 on Trychophytum sp, 15.50±0.71 on Epidermophytum sp, and 14.50±2.12 on Microsporum sp. Finally, the mean zones of inhibition at 200mg were 31.00±1.41 on Trychophytum sp, 18.00±0.00 on Epidermophytum sp, and 17.50±0.71 on Microsporum sp. The MIC was 50mg each. The findings of this study showed that the extracts of garlic had a marked significance in inhibiting the test organisms. As the findings of this study compared favourably with previous studies on antifungal activity of garlic, the plant might be a promising source of drugs for the treatment of dermatophytic infections.