2018, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part D

author(s)
Chemweno Timothy, Mwamburi Lizzy, Keter Lucia, Ngule Crispus, Kipng’etich Brian and Bii Christine

abstract
Infectious diseases affect human health. Current research focused on in vitro antifungal activity and safety of aqueous, dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of Maesa lanceolata against Candida glabrata ATCC 24433, Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 66031, Microsporum gypseum, Trychophyton mentagrophtes and Aspergillus flavus using agar-disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Bioassay of leaves, roots and stem bark extracts were determined at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Root and stem bark water extracts were highly active against C. glabrata ATCC 24433 with zone inhibition diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration of 23.33mm, 31.25 mg/ml and 19.67mm, 125mg/ml respectively. Methanolic and aqueous root extracts were active against C. neoformans showing 18mm and 15.625mg/ml respectively. The phytochemicals present were alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids, anthraquinones and tannins. Extracts displayed cytotoxicity on Vero E6 cell lines with cytotoxicity concentration (CC₅₀) ranging from 206 µg/ml to 684 µg/ml. The activity of M. lanceolata extracts confirms its use in traditional medicine.