# In Vitro Activity of Lawsonia inermis (Henna) on Some Pathogenic Fungi

Authors: Elham Abdelbasit Suleiman; Elbasheir Ahmed Mohamed
Journal: Journal of Mycology
 (2014)

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## Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate antifungal activity ofLawsonia 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.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Plants have been used to treat humans, animals, and plant diseases from time immemorial. Herbal medicines have been known to man for centuries [1]. Henna plant,Lawsonia inermisLinn,is such a plant known for healing attributes and is now the subject of intense scientific study [2]. Though it was used for various purposes, the antifungal property was not yet investigated. Thus the present study was conducted to evaluate its antifungal potential.Lawsonia inermis(Henna) is an ornamental evergreen plant cultivated in the tropics [3]. It belongs to the family Lythraceae. In Sudan it is traditionally used to develop a red or black coloring to hands, feet, and hair in some occasions such as weddings and religious festivals.The phytochemical analysis of the plant leaves revealed the presence of anthroquinones as major constituents which are commonly known to posses antimicrobial activity [4]. Ethyl acetate extract ofLawsonia inermiswas found to be active against all bacteria tested [5]. Screening of the barks of 30 plant species againstMicrosporum gypseum andTrichophyton mentagrophytes showed that onlyL. inermisL. extract exhibited absolute toxicity. The extract showed broad fungicidal spectrum when tested against 13 ring worm fungi [6]. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal potential ofLawsonia inermisleaf extracts.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Henna Plant

Home-grown (Lawsonia inermis Linn) Henna leaves were collected from El Bakrab village east of the Blue Nile, Khartoum State, Sudan. The plant was identified and authenticated by the experts of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute (MAPRI). Voucher specimen has been deposited at the Herbarium of MAPRI.


### 2.2. Microorganisms

Candida albicans (ATCC 7596) was obtained from National Centre for Research (Sudan) and the clinical isolates ofPichia fabianii,Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Aspergillus flavus,Scopulariopsis brevicaulis,Trichophyton mentagrophytes,Trichophyton violaceum,Trichophyton verrucosum, andPhialophora richardsiae were obtained from the Mycology Department, Central Veterinary Research Institute, Soba, Khartoum, Sudan.


### 2.3. Preparation of Crude Extracts

Leaves ofLawsonia inermis(Henna) were dried in the shade. 150 g of powdered leaves was extracted in soxhlet apparatus with petroleum ether 60–80°C and 170 g of powdered leaves was extracted with 80% ethanol using maceration method [7]. Serial dilutions of the extracts were prepared to determine MIC. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and petroleum ether were used as negative controland ketoconazole and Nystatin were used as positive control.


### 2.4. Preparation of Stock Drug Solution (Ketoconazole)

Stock drug solution (1280 mg/liter) was prepared by adding 50 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide to 64 mg of ketoconazole and allowed to stand for 30 min. It was then dispensed in small amount and stored at −20°C until used [8].


### 2.5.In Vitro Assay of Antimicrobial Activity of the Extracts

#### 2.5.1. The Cup-Plate Agar Diffusion Method

The cup-plate agar diffusion Hadecek and Greger [9] method was adopted with some minor modifications to assess the antifungal activity of the prepared extracts. One gram of each extract was weighed and dissolved in 5 mL of the solvent used for the extraction to give 200 mg/mL. The microorganisms were standardized according to the 0.5 McFarland scale. 100 μL of the stock solution was thoroughly mixed with 20 mL molten sterile Sabouraud dextrose agar and maintained at 25°C. The agar plates were left to set and in each of these plates 4 cups (10 mm in diameter) were cut using a sterile cork borer (Number 4) and agar discs were removed. Cups were filled with 0.2 mL of each extract using automatic microlitre pipette and allowed to diffuse at room temperature for two hours. The plates were then incubated in the upright position at 37°C for 2-3 days. Activity of each extract was tested in triplicate. The diameters of zones of inhibition were measured in millimeter using a transparent well calibrated ruler, averaged and the mean values were tabulated. Results of the qualitative screening were recorded as the average diameter of the growth inhibition zone surrounding the wells containing the extract [10].


#### 2.5.2. Agar Incorporation Technique

The antifungal susceptibility of the extracts and the standard drugs ketoconazole and Nystatin were determined using agar incorporation technique. Concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL of the extracts were tested. The test organisms were inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05 mg/mL) for yeasts and SDA supplemented with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide (0.5 mg/mL) for dermatophytes. Each plate was inoculated with the test organism. The control group was inoculated with the same organism. All plates were incubated at 25°C for three to seven days except for dermatophytes which were incubated for up to three weeks at the same temperature [8]. Plates were observed for the presence or inhibition of growth. Negative control (ethanol and petroleum ether) and positive control (Nystatin and ketoconazole) were run in the same manner parallel to the treatment. The test was performed in triplicate.


### 2.6. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Determination

The MIC of the ethanol extract against tested microorganisms was determined by the macrobroth dilution method [8]. Stock solution of the extract at a concentration of 200 mg/mL was prepared by serial two-fold dilutions in Sabouraud’s broth. The tubes were then inoculated with 100 μL of cultures (107 cells). Uninoculated tubes containing growth medium and extract were used as controls. The tubes were then incubated at appropriate temperatures for 48 hours. The MIC was defined as the lowest concentration that completely inhibited the growth of the organism.


### 2.7. Statistical Analysis

Results were expressed as mean ± SD. The significant difference between means was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was established atP<0.05.


## 2.1. Henna Plant

Home-grown (Lawsonia inermis Linn) Henna leaves were collected from El Bakrab village east of the Blue Nile, Khartoum State, Sudan. The plant was identified and authenticated by the experts of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute (MAPRI). Voucher specimen has been deposited at the Herbarium of MAPRI.


## 2.2. Microorganisms

Candida albicans (ATCC 7596) was obtained from National Centre for Research (Sudan) and the clinical isolates ofPichia fabianii,Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Aspergillus flavus,Scopulariopsis brevicaulis,Trichophyton mentagrophytes,Trichophyton violaceum,Trichophyton verrucosum, andPhialophora richardsiae were obtained from the Mycology Department, Central Veterinary Research Institute, Soba, Khartoum, Sudan.


## 2.3. Preparation of Crude Extracts

Leaves ofLawsonia inermis(Henna) were dried in the shade. 150 g of powdered leaves was extracted in soxhlet apparatus with petroleum ether 60–80°C and 170 g of powdered leaves was extracted with 80% ethanol using maceration method [7]. Serial dilutions of the extracts were prepared to determine MIC. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and petroleum ether were used as negative controland ketoconazole and Nystatin were used as positive control.


## 2.4. Preparation of Stock Drug Solution (Ketoconazole)

Stock drug solution (1280 mg/liter) was prepared by adding 50 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide to 64 mg of ketoconazole and allowed to stand for 30 min. It was then dispensed in small amount and stored at −20°C until used [8].


## 2.5.In Vitro Assay of Antimicrobial Activity of the Extracts

### 2.5.1. The Cup-Plate Agar Diffusion Method

The cup-plate agar diffusion Hadecek and Greger [9] method was adopted with some minor modifications to assess the antifungal activity of the prepared extracts. One gram of each extract was weighed and dissolved in 5 mL of the solvent used for the extraction to give 200 mg/mL. The microorganisms were standardized according to the 0.5 McFarland scale. 100 μL of the stock solution was thoroughly mixed with 20 mL molten sterile Sabouraud dextrose agar and maintained at 25°C. The agar plates were left to set and in each of these plates 4 cups (10 mm in diameter) were cut using a sterile cork borer (Number 4) and agar discs were removed. Cups were filled with 0.2 mL of each extract using automatic microlitre pipette and allowed to diffuse at room temperature for two hours. The plates were then incubated in the upright position at 37°C for 2-3 days. Activity of each extract was tested in triplicate. The diameters of zones of inhibition were measured in millimeter using a transparent well calibrated ruler, averaged and the mean values were tabulated. Results of the qualitative screening were recorded as the average diameter of the growth inhibition zone surrounding the wells containing the extract [10].


### 2.5.2. Agar Incorporation Technique

The antifungal susceptibility of the extracts and the standard drugs ketoconazole and Nystatin were determined using agar incorporation technique. Concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL of the extracts were tested. The test organisms were inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05 mg/mL) for yeasts and SDA supplemented with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide (0.5 mg/mL) for dermatophytes. Each plate was inoculated with the test organism. The control group was inoculated with the same organism. All plates were incubated at 25°C for three to seven days except for dermatophytes which were incubated for up to three weeks at the same temperature [8]. Plates were observed for the presence or inhibition of growth. Negative control (ethanol and petroleum ether) and positive control (Nystatin and ketoconazole) were run in the same manner parallel to the treatment. The test was performed in triplicate.


## 2.5.1. The Cup-Plate Agar Diffusion Method

The cup-plate agar diffusion Hadecek and Greger [9] method was adopted with some minor modifications to assess the antifungal activity of the prepared extracts. One gram of each extract was weighed and dissolved in 5 mL of the solvent used for the extraction to give 200 mg/mL. The microorganisms were standardized according to the 0.5 McFarland scale. 100 μL of the stock solution was thoroughly mixed with 20 mL molten sterile Sabouraud dextrose agar and maintained at 25°C. The agar plates were left to set and in each of these plates 4 cups (10 mm in diameter) were cut using a sterile cork borer (Number 4) and agar discs were removed. Cups were filled with 0.2 mL of each extract using automatic microlitre pipette and allowed to diffuse at room temperature for two hours. The plates were then incubated in the upright position at 37°C for 2-3 days. Activity of each extract was tested in triplicate. The diameters of zones of inhibition were measured in millimeter using a transparent well calibrated ruler, averaged and the mean values were tabulated. Results of the qualitative screening were recorded as the average diameter of the growth inhibition zone surrounding the wells containing the extract [10].


## 2.5.2. Agar Incorporation Technique

The antifungal susceptibility of the extracts and the standard drugs ketoconazole and Nystatin were determined using agar incorporation technique. Concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL of the extracts were tested. The test organisms were inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05 mg/mL) for yeasts and SDA supplemented with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide (0.5 mg/mL) for dermatophytes. Each plate was inoculated with the test organism. The control group was inoculated with the same organism. All plates were incubated at 25°C for three to seven days except for dermatophytes which were incubated for up to three weeks at the same temperature [8]. Plates were observed for the presence or inhibition of growth. Negative control (ethanol and petroleum ether) and positive control (Nystatin and ketoconazole) were run in the same manner parallel to the treatment. The test was performed in triplicate.


## 2.6. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Determination

The MIC of the ethanol extract against tested microorganisms was determined by the macrobroth dilution method [8]. Stock solution of the extract at a concentration of 200 mg/mL was prepared by serial two-fold dilutions in Sabouraud’s broth. The tubes were then inoculated with 100 μL of cultures (107 cells). Uninoculated tubes containing growth medium and extract were used as controls. The tubes were then incubated at appropriate temperatures for 48 hours. The MIC was defined as the lowest concentration that completely inhibited the growth of the organism.


## 2.7. Statistical Analysis

Results were expressed as mean ± SD. The significant difference between means was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was established atP<0.05.


## 3. Results

The current investigation showed that Henna plant possesses good antimicrobial activity against tested fungi. The obtained results demonstrated antifungal activity of both extracts. The cup-agar diffusion method revealed antifungal activity of the extract against yeasts and mould demonstrated by area of inhibition zone around the wells, while inhibition of growth revealed antifungal activity against dermatophytes. The ethanol extract has shown significant activity against yeasts compared to petroleum ether extract. The inhibition zone induced by ethanol extract at the concentration of 10 mg/mL was found to be 26.3 ± 3 mm againstSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand 17 ± 0 mm againstCandida albicans.Petroleum ether extract exhibits antifungal activity toS. cerevisiaewith mean inhibition zone equal to 25.3 ± 0.6 mm at a concentration of 10 mg/mL and 22.7 ± 0.6 mm toC. albicanswhich is greater than that shown for the commercial Nystatin (17±0 mm). It was noted that both extracts showed no antifungal activity toPichia fabianii(Table 1, Figures 1 and 2).Table 1
Antimicrobial activity ofLawsonia inermis, ethanol, and petroleum ether leaf extracts against yeasts.
Extract
Concentration (mg/mL−1)
S. cerevisiae
C. albicans Diameter of inhibition zone (mm)
P. fabianii
Nystatin
Ethanol
100
23.3 ± 1.5
16.7 ± 0.6
0
Ethanol
200
26.3 ± 3.2
17 ± 0
0
17 ± 0
Petroleum ether
100
24.7 ± 0.6
21.3 ± 0.6
0
Petroleum ether
200
25.3 ± 0.6
22.7 ± 0.6
0
Data are presented as mean ± SD of zone of inhibition (mm); inhibition zones are the mean of three replicates;S (Saccharomyces); C (Candida); P (Pichia).Figure 1
Inhibition zone ofC. albicans.C: ethanol as negative control; R: ether extract; E: ethanol extract.Figure 2
Inhibition zone ofS. cerevisiae. C: ethanol as negative control; R: ether extract; E: ethanol extract.Significant antifungal effect expressed as MIC of ethanol extract against tested dermatophytes was shown (Table2).Trichophyton mentagrophytes andT. violaceum were found more sensitive to ethanol extract with MIC of 7.5 mg/mL. However, allTrichophytonspecies were found sensitive to ethanol at a concentration of 10 mg/mL (Figure 3).Table 2
MIC of ethanol extract ofLawsonia inermis leaf against dermatophytes.
Extract
Concentration (mg/mL)
T. mentagrophytes
T. verrucosum
T. violaceum
Ketoconazole
Ethanol extract
2.5
+
+
+
—
5.0
+
+
—
—
7.5
—
+
—
—
10
—
—
—
—
Symbols (+) indicate growth of fungi; (—) indicates inhibition of growth.Control plate (b) showing growth ofT. verrucosum and growth inhibition ofT. verrucosumin ethanol extract ofL. inermisleaves (a) at different concentrations after 10 days of incubation at 37°C (×40).
(a)
(b)The ethanol extract displayed fungicidal activity to tested moulds at a concentration of 5 mg/mL and fungi static activity toAspergillus flavus at a concentration of 10 mg/mL (Table 3, Figures 4, 5, and 6).Table 3
Minimun Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of ethanol extract ofLawsonia inermis Leaf against moulds.
Extract
Concentration (mg/mL)
Aspergillus flavus
Scopulariopsis brevicaulis
Phialophora richardsiae
Dimethyle Sulphoxide
Ethanol
2.5
+
+
+
—
5.0
+
—
—
—
7.5
+
—
—
—
10
—
—
—
—
Symbols (+) indicates growth of fungi; (—) indicates inhibition of growth.Control plate ofScopulariopsis brevicaulis(a) and ethanol-treated plate (b) at a concentration of 10 mg/mL ethanol extract ofL. inermisafter 7 days of incubation at room temperature (×40).
(a)
(b)Control plate ofPhialophora richardsiae (a) and ethanol-treated plate (b) at a concentration of 10 mg/mL ethanol extract ofL. inermisafter 7 days of incubation at room temperature (×40).
(a)
(b)Figure 6
White colony ofA. flavus on SDA at a concentration of 10 mg/mL ethanol extract ofL. inermisshowing fungi static activity (vial) and green colony of the control (plate) after 7 days of incubation at room temperature (×40).


## 4. Discussion

The antifungal activity ofL. inermis leaf extracts has been evaluatedin vitro againstC. albicans, S. cerevisiae, and some selected dermatophytes. The effect was found to be dose dependent. Petroleum ether extract showed a wide antifungal spectrum compared to ethanol extract against tested yeasts. It exhibited inhibition zone wider than the commercial Nystatin. Therefore, petroleum ether is a better solvent for consistent extraction of antifungal substances fromL. inermis plant. Inhibion of growth ofC. albicans shown in the present study was consistent with that reported by Maher and his collaborators [11] where ethanol extract ofRuta chalepensis revealed similar inhibition zone of 17 mm. ButS. cerevisiae was found to be more sensetive to ethanol extract at the concentration of 10 mg/mL compared toC. albicans.This shows spesies susceptibility to the extrcat used. Furthermore, all tested moulds were found to be sensitive to ethanol extract at a concentration of 5 mg/mL exceptAspergillus flavus. This indicates less sensitivity of the extract toA. flavus.In the present study, all tested dermatophytes showed great sensitivity to ethanol extract where complete inhibition of growth was observed. This finding is similar to those obtained in some previous studies [12] where 100% inhibition ofTrichophyton mentagrophytes growth was observed on using 10 mg/mL ofL. inermis ethanol extract. This indicates great sensitivity of dermatophytes toL. inermis plant. Thus further research on mode of action of such novel plant is recommended.The phytochemical screening of Sudanese Henna plant revealed naphthoquinone as an active ingredient that might display the antifungal activity against tested fungi [4]. Previous studies [6, 13] disclosed the same result when they screened the antifungal activity of higher plants; leaves ofL. inermis were found to exhibit strong fungicidal effect due to naphthoquinone which was found to be the main active ingredient. Furthermore, the presence of tannin might play a vital role as antimicrobial agent as suggested by Banerjee and his collaborators [14].


## 5. Conclusions

Ethanol and petroleum ether leaf extracts ofL. inermis(Henna) revealed antimycotic activity against tested fungi. With the ever increasing resistant strains of microorganisms to the already available and synthesized antifungal drugs, the naturally availableLawsonia inermis(Henna) could be a potential alternative. Since our study was carried out using crude extract, it is necessary to purify the active principle and evaluate its bioactivity for therapeutic application.



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