Antifungal Activity of Calliandra Haematocephala against Selected Pathogenic Fungi: An In-vitro Study

Introduction: Pathogenic fungi cause a wide range of infections which include life-threatening diseases particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Plant derived secondary metabolites have significant therapeutic role in pathogenic fungal infection because of their fungicidal, immunity enhancing and least toxic properties. Calliandra haematocephala also called ‘Red Powder puff’ possess greater antimicrobial and immunoadjuvant activities.

Aim: To evaluate the antifungal activity of Calliandra haemato-cephala against selective pathogenic fungal species.

Materials and Methods: The present in-vitro study was conducted in central laboratory in association with Department of Pharmacology at Sree Balaji Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, during six months from June 2018 to December 2018. Antifungal activity of the Calliandra haematocephala (leaves extract) were examined against six pathogenic fungal species Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride, Rhizopus microsporus, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichophyton rubrum using agar disc diffusion method by measuring the zone of inhibition.

Results: The ethanolic leaf extract of Calliandra haematocephala showed strong inhibitory activity against all six fungal species. However, it showed significant inhibitory activity against Aspergillus niger (12 mm) and Penicillium chrysogenum (11 mm) when compared with standard drug Amphotericin B.

Conclusion: The antifungal activity of Calliandra haematocephala suggested its potential role in opportunistic fungal infections with immunocompromised conditions.