Isolation and Antifungal Effects of Plants Extracts on Malassezia species Isolated from Scalps of Primary School Pupils and Bingham University Students

Aim: The aim of the research was to evaluate the antifungal activities of the leaf extracts of Senna alata and Lawsonia inermis on Malassezia spp. isolated from the scalps of primary school pupils and Bingham University students.

Place and Duration of the Study: This study was carried out in the department of Biological sciences, Bingham University Karu Nasarawa state between July to September, 2017.

Methodology: The plant species Senna alata and Lawsonia inermis was collected from Garki district of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and Sayina village of Auta-balefi Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state respectively. These plant species were identified by plant experts in the Department of Biological Sciences, Bingham University, using characteristic features of the leaves such as the shapes, sizes and flower corresponding to the herbarium specimens. Other features included plant height, fruits type, nature of the branches, colour of the stems, present or absence of spines, and number of flowers etc. Senna alata and Lawsonia inermis plants extracts were obtained by maceration in 80% ethanol, soaking and boiling of the powdered leaves of the plants respectively. A total of 83 dandruff scrapings were collected from both the pupils of Kodope primary school and Bingham University students. The identification of Malassezia species was made microscopically by methylene blue staining and wet mounting. Each slide was examined under high power field microscope (40X objective) to detect the presence of hyphae and budding yeast cells. The positive samples were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) plates and incubated at 37°C for 3-5 days. Fungal growth was observed. Gram’s staining procedure and biochemical tests such as catalase test, bile Esculin test and Tween assimilation test using Tween 20 and 80 was carried out. The evaluation of the antifungal effects of Senna alata and Lawsonia inermis on Malassezia sp. was carried out using the well diffusion method.

Results: Out of 83 samples analyzed, 21 were positive for Malassezia spp. Three (3) species were identified and isolated; namely Malassezia restricta, Malassezia globosa and Malassezia furfur.

The antifungal effects of the plant extracts revealed that the Malassezia species were susceptible to the ethanolic extract of Senna alata with a mean zone of inhibition 11.00± 0.969. The Aqueous extracts of Senna alata showed significant antifungal effect on the fungi with mean zone of inhibition 10.00± 0.969 when compared to the control, while the boiled extract had no effect. The ethanolic extract of Lawsonia inermis was the only extract recorded to have antifungal effect on the fungi, with mean zone of inhibition 7.71±0.876.

The relationship between of Malassezia infection with age, gender, and institutions was determined by Chi-square test through the use of statistical package for social science (SPSS). There was no significant difference in Malassezia infection between the ages (P=0.189) as well as gender (P=0.367). However, the distribution of infection between the institutions shows a significant difference (p=0.043).

Conclusion: This study reveals that naturally acquired herbs of S. alata especially and L. inermis may be effective in combating Malassezia species which are the causative agents of dandruff and hence, the use of naturally acquired herbs should be encouraged in combating dandruff.