In Vitro Activity of Lawsonia inermis (Henna) on Some Pathogenic Fungi
The present study was conducted to investigate antifungal activity of Lawsonia inermis (Henna plant). Leaf samples of the plant were collected from Eastern Nile of Khartoum State, Sudan. Ethanol and petroleum ether extracts were obtained by maceration (cold method). The extracts were bioassayed in vitro to know their bioactivity to inhibit the growth of tested fungi. The cup-plate agar diffusion method was adopted to assess the antifungal activity of the extracts against tested yeasts, while agar incorporated method was used for other molds. Both extracts revealed antifungal activity against all yeast strains except Pichia fabianii which was found resistant to both ethanol and ether extracts. The results displayed antifungal activity against tested fungi. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/mL was found to inhibit the growth of tested dermatophytes. The obtained results revealed antifungal activity of Henna leaves extracts which support the traditional use of Henna in therapy of fungal infections. The possibility of therapeutic use of Sudanese Henna as antifungal agent is recommended.