Antimycotic activity of the componenets of Abutilon indicum (Malvaceae).

The search for novel antifungal agents relies in great part on ethnobotanical information and ethnopharmacologic exploration. Methanol extracts provide a more complete extraction, including less polar compounds, and many of these extracts have been found to possess antifungal properties. Methanolic extracts of various parts of Abutilon indicum were tested for their ability to inhibit the aetiological agents of dermal fungal infections in humans. The screening for the antimycotic activity was performed by testing Minimum Inhibitory concentration and Disc diffusion method. Thin layer chromatographic analysis of plant extract used to purify the flavonoid content of plant parts. Quercetin present in these extracts was separated. Methanolic extract of leaves of Abutilon indicum shows remarkable antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum. This study provides a sample large enough to determine the antimycotic properties of A. indicum and suggest further studies for a possible therapeutic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]