Antifungal activity of plectranthus zeylanicus

Abstract

In a continuation of study towards the discovery of biologically active compounds from Sri Lankan medicinal plants, we have chemically investigated some of the selected plants for their antifungal activity. Preliminary investigations showed that methanol extract of the plant Plectranthuszeylanicus showed significant antifungal activity. The bioactive agent of the above mentioned plant in the most potent fractions with antifungal properties were identified using column chromatography, eluted using gradient elution technique using three different solvents as a mixture of two in different ratios as a combination of hexane: ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate: methanol in increasing polarity, followed by antifungal assay against Aspergillus species for each fractions. Analysis of Antifungal activity profile of the plant showed that the highest inhibition activity in (75% Hexane: 25% Ethyl acetate) and (80% Ethyl acetate: 20% methanol) fractions and the respected value of the highest inhibition diameter was found to be 12.83mm for both fractions. Further isolation of these fractions are under study and introduction of chromatographic techniques into this work will possibly pave the way for an effective discovery of an antifungal agent. The obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and it would be a potential antiseptic source for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections