Antifungal activity of Aloe vera extract against pathogenic species of Aspergillus isolated from Kathmandu , Nepal

Ref ID: 19487

Author:

US Khwakhali1,2*, VP Shrivastava2

Author address:

1Department of Microbiology, Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
2Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Applied Sciences,
Purbanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal

Full conference title:

6th Advances Against Aspergillosis 2014

Abstract:

Purpose:
Aspergillus species, a human pathogenic fungus, causes a life threatening pulmonary infections and
invasive & allergenic aspergillosis in immune suppressed individuals. Invasive aspergillosis is mainly
caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus is the second leading cause of aspergillosis. A. niger
also cause invasive infections to a lesser extent in immunocompromised patients. A. fumigatus
represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the patients of Allergic Bronchopulmonary
Aspergillosis (ABPA). Global burden of azole resistance in Aspergillus has dragged an attention
towards the use of herbal medicine. Aloe vera is one of the most important traditional folk and
alternative medicine all over the world for treatment of infectious diseases with lesser side effects.
In addition to antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity, it has been shown to possess antiinflammatory,
immuno stimulatory and cell growth stimulatory activity. In present study, in vitro
antifungal activity of Aloe vera extracts (aqueous, ethanol and acetone) was investigated against
pathogenic Aspergillus species as these are predominant in atmosphere of Kathmandu, Nepal.
Methods:
A total of 94 isolates of pathogenic Aspergillus- 23 A. fumigatus, 35 A. flavus and 36 A. niger
from atmosphere of Kathmandu Valley were included in this study. Aloe vera extracts in various
solvents (aqueous, ethanol and acetone) were prepared by using soxhlet apparatus [Alade and Irobi
(1993), Ibrahim et al. (2011)] and stored for further studies. Antifungal activity of all extracts of Aloe
vera against pathogenic Aspergillus was determined by disc diffusion method according to Clinical
Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and using Sabouraud Dextrose agar (SDA) in
triplicates for each test [Ibrahim et al. (2011), Al-Wathiqi et al. (2013)]. The results were read after
24 to 72 h of incubation and by measuring diameter of zone of inhibition (millimeters) at outermost
point of marked decrease in fungal density. Phytochemical analysis of aqueous, ethanol and acetone
extracts of Aloe vera was carried out qualitatively [Harborne (1973), Trease and Evans (1989),
Sofowora (1993)].
Results:
Aloe vera extracts (aqueous, ethanol and acetone) showed antifungal activity against pathogenic
Aspergillus species investigated. Maximum antifungal activities were observed in acetone extract
than ethanol and aqueous extracts against all pathogenic Aspergillus species. Acetone extract showed
highest antifungal activity against A. fumigatus (15mm) and A. flavus (16mm) and moderate activity
against A niger (10mm) while ethanol extract showed low antifungal activity than acetone extract
against A. fumigatus (11mm), A. flavus (11mm) and A. niger (10mm). Antifungal activity of aqueous
extract against A. fumigatus (8mm) and A. niger (8mm) was less significant and A. flavus showed
no zone of inhibition. Phytochemical analysis of all extracts of Aloe vera showed the presence of
metabolites- aminoacids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, anthraquinones,
tannins and saponins.
Conclusion:
The acetone extract of Aloe vera possess significant antifungal activity against pathogenic
A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger than ethanol and aqueous extracts. Phytochemical analysis
revealed that all extracts of Aloe vera contain secondary metabolites with antifungal properties.
Extracts of Aloe vera could be exploited as an effective antifungal agent against pathogenic
Aspergillus species.

Abstract Number: 15

Conference Year: 2014

Link to conference website: http://www.AAA2014.org

New link: NULL

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