Broad spectrum herbal therapy against superficial fungal infections

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to develop some effective sources of chemotherapeutic agents that provide renewable sources of useful antifungal of biodegradable nature which are devoid of side effects and thermostable at high temperature with long expiry duration. The essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi against human pathogenic fungi in vitro was studied for thermostability, storage durability and their effect on human skin. Antifungal activity of the oil was compared with some synthetic antifungals. Finally, the essential oil was formulated for clinical trial in the form of ointment for clinical investigation. The essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi showed strong antifungal activity at 0.1 µl ml-1 concentration against tested pathogens (dermatophytes) completely. The oil was found thermostable up to 100oC and did not expire up to 72 months of storage. On comparing the antifungal activity of the oil with synthetic antifungals, oil was found to be most effective and did not show any adverse effect on mammalian skin up to 1% concentration. The oil based ointment, was subjected to topical testing on patients attending out patient department (OPD) of M.L.N. Medical College, Allahabad. At the end of the medication, 70.0% of patients recovered complete cure, 20.0% showed significant improvement from the disease. No KOH negative cases of relapse were observed when patients were re-examined after two months following the end of treatment. Thus the oil based ointment (products) can be recommended for safe, thermostable and long duration effects against dermatophytoses without any adverse effect. The commercial viability of the oil can be determined after multicenter clinical trials which is in progress.