Phytochemicals from Ageratum conyzoides L. Extracts and their Antifungal Activity against Virulent Aspergillus spp.

Abstract

Antifungal activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ageratum conyzoides plant were evaluated in vitro against Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, A. terreus, A. tamarii and A. ustus; these are mostly implicated in plant and animal fungal diseases. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some phytochemicals. Antifungal potential of the extracts were evaluated quantitatively in vitro using well diffusion method and challenged with the test standard isolates and compared with controls. The percentage yields of aqueous extracts were greater than that of ethanolic extract. Both extracts showed a potentially good antifungal activity, however aqueous extract had more activity. The activities increased with increasing concentration. Maximum antifungal activity was shown by aqueous extract of A. conyzoides against A. niger and A. ustus with the average inhibition of 20 mm each while the least activity were recorded against A. fumigatus at the concentration of 800 mg/mL with 7 mm zones of inhibition. Itraconazole (positive control) at 16.667 mg/mL, ranged from 15±0.13 mm to 20±0.13 mm with MIC values from 2.630 mg/mL to 6.761 mg/mL. The MIC values of extracts ranged from 50 mg/mL to 794 mg/mL. The activities of the plant extracts against the standard organisms in vivo did not correlate well with the in vitro. The extracts showed an antifungal potential both in vitro against the standard organisms, confirming the traditional medicinal claims for use against pathogenic fungal infections of plant and animals.