Comparative study of the antifungal activity of Aloe vera and Zingiberofficinale extracts on Trichophyton rubrum.

Abstract

Trichophyton rubrum causes the common superficial dermatophyte infection of the feet. It may present in several clinical varieties such as intertriginous, hyperkeratotic, vesiculobullous, ulcerative or a combination of these. It is often referred to as “Athlete’s Foot”. Tinea pedis may be accompanied by dermatophyte infection of other parts of the body including groin, hands or nails. It is estimated to affect about 15% of the population at large, being more common in closed communities such as army barracks and boarding schools, in warm weather, among those frequently using swimming pools, and when the feet are occluded with nonporous tight fitting shoes. 20 petri dishes seeded with the fungus were treated with Aloe vera, Zingiber officinale and the mixture of the two using a disc of 9mm in a disc diffusion method on SDA. Each petri dish was divided into four portions that is to say Aloe vera portion treatment, Zingiber officinale portion treatment, the mixture portion treatment and the control portion. The petri dishes were placed in the incubator to maintain the temperature of 37 o C which is the human body temperature for 48 hours. The area of inhibition was measured using a divider and a calibrated ruler;the mixture had the highest area of inhibition followed by Aloe vera and lastly Zingiber officinale. The antifungal activity of crude extract of the mixture of Aloe vera andZingiber officinale had the highest area of inhibition meaning that it was the most effective than that of the individual crude extracts of Aloe vera and Zingiber officinale. Key words. Tinea pedis, Trichophyton rubrum, Aloe vera, Zingiber officinale, incubator