Abstract:
Introduction: The increased prevalence of fungal infections is attributable to an increase
in the number of immunocompromised hosts. Bioactive compounds present in the plants
are used as models for the synthesis of medicinal compounds. Vateria copallifera is an
endemic plant in Sri Lanka which has been used to treat various ailments in Ayurvedic
medicine. As per our knowledge, the anti-fungal activity of this plant has not been
investigated so far.
Objective: To evaluate the anti-fungal activity of different extracts of leaf of V. copallifera
against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.
Methodology: The leaves of the plant were collected from the Kalutara district of Sri
Lanka and shade-dried and powdered. The powder was macerated with methanol and
acetone separately for two days. Solvents were removed from the filtrate using a rotary
evaporator under reduced pressure. Anti-fungal activity of the extracts of leaf was
determined against A. niger and C. albicans using agar well diffusion technique by
employing itraconazole and fluconazole as standard. The diameter of the zone of inhibition
of different extracts was measured and the data were examined by Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test at 5% significance level.
Results: Mean values of zones of inhibition against A. niger for the methanol and acetone
extract of leaf at concentrations of 100 mg/mL were 17.00 ± 2.78 mm and 19.33 ± 1.15
mm, respectively. Whereas the Itraconazole at the concentration of 1 mg/mL was found to
be 30.00 ± 5.00 mm. The mean values of inhibition zones against C. albicans for the
methanol and acetone extract of leaf was 20.50 ± 2.00 mm and 15.50 ± 1.80 mm,
respectively. Whereas Fluconazole at the concentration 1 mg/mL was found to be 14.33 ±
0.57 mm. Among the different extracts of leaf, the acetone extract showed the highest
activity against A. niger and the methanol extract showed the highest activity against C.
albicans
Conclusion: All the extracts of leaf of V. copallifera, exhibited anti-fungal activity against
A. niger and C. albicans. Further, these extracts could be used to screen the specific
bioactive compounds which are responsible for their antifungal activity.
