Abstract
Abstract : The Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) and Microsporum canis (M. canis) species are the leading causative agents for superficial fungal infections worldwide (Richardson & Warnock, 2012; Havlickova et al., 2008). When individuals with compromised immune system come into contact with these pathogenic agents, they may experience invasive lesions, which in turn, increases their risk for mortality (Richardson & Warnock, 2012). Due to antifungal resistance continually increasing globally, this is aggressively threatening the success of antifungal treatments (Perlin et al., 2017). The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the antifungal effect of Valeriana officinalis mother tincture and herbal extract on the growth of T. rubrum and M. canis using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test. The study was undertaken by preparing fresh fungal spores of T. rubrum and M. canis, each standardized to 1.5 x 105 CFU/ml using a hemocytometer. Plates were subdivided into five sections and further labelled with the organism’s name and medications tested. The plates were streaked with 200 μl of each organisms, respectively, and spread in a 90° clockwise direction, using a sterile plastic scraper, over a 90 mm petri dish containing 20 ml of solidified Saboraud dextrose agar (SDA), to completely cover its entire surface (Mamba et al., 2010). The species were tested against the Valeriana officinalis homoeopathic mother tincture (Ø), Valeriana officinalis herbal extract (HE), Terbinafine (positive control) and 45% and 67% ethanol (negative control) on SDA plates. Five sterile blank test discs were impregnated with 20 μl of each medication. The plates were allowed to dry at room temperature for 5 minutes. They were then incubated at 30°C for three, six and nine days. The zones of inhibition were measured in millimeters (mm) with a ruler and recorded (Mamba et al., 2010)...
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)