Antidermatophytic activity of extracts from Psoralea corylifolia (Fabaceae) correlated with the presence of a flavonoid compound

Extracts obtained from seeds of Psoralea corylifolia showed several degrees of antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsportan gypseum by the disc diffusion method on a Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) medium. Methanol extract of the seeds at 250 mug exhibited the maximum inhibition with a halo of 28 mm diameter. Six different bands were obtained when the methanol extract was subjected to TLC. C-13 NMR and Mass spectra revealed that the active compound would be a flavonoid, 4'-methoxy flavone. MIC of the active compound along with standard miconazole was carried out using tube dilution technique. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.