Testing to Determine the Antifungal Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants Extracts and Itraconazole Against Dermatophytes Isolated in Human Infections

Dermatophytosis is a category of superficial fungi infection caused by the keratinophilic fungi, like Trichophyton rubrum, which attacks the conventional antifungal drugs less often. This article compared the antifungal activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Senna alata, Ficus carica and Ricinus communis against Trichophyton rubrum isolates obtained on human infections in Babylon Province in Iraq compared with itraconazole. The strongest antifungal activity was availed by Senna alata, aqueous extract and the alcoholic extract of Senna alata, in comparison with itraconazole. Statistical work was done with (One-way ANOVA) that revealed that there were significant differences between extracts (p < 0.05). These results suggest the possibility of Senna alata extract as a natural antifungal agent considering that it is safe, accessible, and can be used as an addition to managing dermatophytosis.