The effect of leaf extracts of Centella asiatica and Andrographis paniculata on spore germination of some fungi

Abstract

The antifungal activity of leaf extracts of Centella asiatica and Andrographis paniculata was observed against 11 fungi, viz., Alternaria alternata, A. brassicae, A. brassicicola, Cercospora cajani and C blumeae, Colletotrichum capsici, Curvularia lunata Erysiphe pisi, Fusarium spp., Drechslera oryzae and Ustilago cynodontis. Undiluted leaf extract (100%) and three aqueous dilutions (1:1, 1:2 and 1:4) were used. The effect of mixed leaf extracts of the two plants was also seen. Leaf extracts of both the plants showed significant inhibitory effect on the spore germination of all the fungi tested. U. cynodontis, D. oryzae, C. lunata, E. pisi, C. cajani were found highly sensitive to the individual leaf extract of both plants. The inhibitory effect of extracts increased when they were used in combination with or without dilutions against Fusarium spp., C. cajani and C. lunata. Isolation of active ihgradients with a possibility of their increased efficacy in vitro as well as in vivo is envisaged.