BIOPROSPECCIÓN DE LA ACTIVIDAD ANTIMICÓTICA DE EXTRACTOS METANÓLICOS DE ARIOCARPUS KOTSCHOUBEYANUS Y ARIOCARPUS RETUSUS

Abstract

The antifungal activity of methanolic extracts from Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
and A. retusus, two native xerophytes of
northeastern Mexico, was determined on
the fungal dermatophytes Trichophyton
tonsurans, Microsporum canis and Microsporum cookei. Putative active metabolites were identified by phytochemical
screening using evidence for functional
groups; determination of antifungal activity
was conducted by the disk-diffusion plate
method as part of the process of understanding the chemistry and efficacy of these
plant products. Doses tested were 125,
250 y 500 mg/mL. Extracts were positive
for carbonyl groups, phenolic oxhidrils,
sterols and methyl sterols, coumarins, sesquiterpenlactones, saponins, flavonoids and
alkaloids. Extract from A. retusus (stem)
yielded the greatest activity against Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum cookei.
Univariate analysis of variance revealed
that with regard to antifungal activity there
were significant differences between fungi,
culture media and analyzed doses with
respect to positive control of ketoconazole.
These results served to validate empirical
knowledge about these plants in traditional
medicine. These studies form a basis for
further research in the search for bioactive
compounds and the discovery of potential
herbal medicaments.