The use of South African medicinal plants in the treatment of fungal skin

NewsBot · Sep 26, 2019

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The use of South African medicinal plants in the treatment of fungal skin
infections: A systematic review
Banele Ndlovu et al
AMJ 2019;12(8):246–254

Background
Medicinal plant extracts have attracted attention in various
medical fields, including the treatment of problematic
fungal skin infections. South Africa has a rich diversity of
indigenous medicinal plants with dermatological
therapeutic relevance. Scientists are seeking medicinal plant
species that could be developed into medicines for various
skin diseases including, fungal skin infections.
Aims
The aim of the present study was to review in vitro and in
vivo studies that have identified and documented the use of
indigenous medicinal plants in the treatment of fungal skin
infections in South Africa.
Methods
Computerized literature searches were performed on
Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Medline Ebscohost
Science Direct, Global Electronic Thesis and Dissertations
(ETD) and South African National ETD.
Results
Fifteen indigenous plant species distributed in 11 genera
and eight families were identified. The most representative
families being the Asteraceae, Rutaceae and
Xanthorrhoeaceae. All 15 plant species had significant
antifungal activities against fungal pathogens implicated in
skin diseases mainly Trichophyton mentagophytes and
Trichophyton rubrum. The most effective plant extracts
being from Aloe ferox, Aloe arborescens, Coleomena
pulchellum, Elytroppapus rhinocerotis, Hypericum
aethiopicum and Tetradenia riparia.
Conclusion
This review showed South African medicinal plant species
could be effective antifungals in treating fungal skin
infections. This suggests that these medicinal plant species
can be used to replace the resistant and toxic synthetic
antifungals currently used. This study will help in the
production and commercialisation of these plant species in
herbal-based antifungal medicines.
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