Pharmacognostical Phytochemical and Antifungal Studies of Andrographis paniculata in Ringworm Infection

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus like Trichiphyton rubrum and Microsporum canis. Ringworm can affect skin on our body (tinea corporis), scalp (tinea capitis), groin area (tinea cruris, also called jock itch), or feet (tinea pedis, also called athlete's foot). Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but it may affect people of all ages. Although its name suggests otherwise, it is caused by a fungus, not a worm. Ringworm occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on our skin, scalp, or nails. Ringworm is contagious.[1] Antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents are effective in the prevention and treatment of ring worm, but they also cause undesirable side effects such as ecologic disturbance of oral and gut flora. Therefore, search for the anti fungal herbs could offer an effective alternative to antibiotic strategies for fungal infection disease like ring worm. The plant Andrographis paniculata was screened for its Macroscopic, Microscopic, Physiochemical parameter, Florescence analysis, General and microchemical analysis for crude powder and Plant cell inclusions. Qualitative and Total microbial load showed that they all within limit. Extraction was carried out by using soxhlet apparatus. Ethanolic extract effective against list out the fungal like Trichiophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis by Disc diffusion method. The Ethanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata., showed highest activity at minimum concentration. Thus from our findings, it was concluded that the bioactive principles present in the extracts may be responsible in the treatment of ringworm infection. Developing countries like India having the percentage of poor people more, to meet with the demand of the poor public, the Andrographis paniculata., may serve the purpose once the evaluation and detailed studies may over.