Antifungal potential of improved crude extracts of Mitracarpus scaber (Zucc) against Candida guilliermondii and Candida parapsilosis

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate antifungal potential of improved crude extracts of Mitracarpus scaber Zucc., an ivorian traditional medicinal plant against two species of clinical yeast isolates: Candida parapsilosis and Candida guilliermondii . Methods : For evaluation of antifungal activity, double dilution method in slope tubes was used. Crude extracts of M . scaber were prepared by extracting with a blender in aqueous and hydroalcohol. In first; Aqueous (X Aq ) and Hydroalcoholic (X 0 ) extracts were evaluated, and secondary the crude extract X 0 was improved by partition in mixture of aqueous and hexanic solvent 50:50 v/v. Each dried phase was also examined. A phytochemical screening has been performed on most active extracts. Results : In vitro antifungal activity showed that crude extract X 0 was the most active with MIC = 6.25 mg/ml. Among the extracts obtained by partition from extract X 0 , extract X 11 (Hexanic phase) was the better with lowest antifungal parameters MIC and MFC range between 1.562 mg/ml and 0.781 mg/ml and IC 50 range between 0.73 mg/ml to 0.598 mg/ml. In addition, the most active extract contained only terpens and steroids. Conclusions : Antifungal activity of M . scaber was improved by partition of an hydroalcoholic extract (X 0 ) in mixture hexane-water 50:50 v/v. Hexanic phase (X 11 ) was more active against C . parapsilosis and C . guilliermondii .