Antifungal Activity of Urtica dioica Extracts Against Clinical Dermatophyte Isolates from Male Patients
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Fungi can cause infection with different species of fungi and may present in various clinical manifestations in humans. Dermatophytes cause one of the most prevalent superficial fungal infections in the world – known as dermatophytosis. A few synthetic and natural antifungal agents have been used in controlling this infection. The Urtica dioica is a medicinal plant that contains several bioactive compounds, such as saponins, tannins, phytosterols, flavonoids, chlorophylls, proteins, vitamins and amino acids. Few studies have been reported on its antifungal effect against dermatophytes, however. Thus, the present study was aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of U. dioica extracts against clinical isolates of dermatophytes. The present study was carried out in Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital in Microbiology Unit, Wasit Governorate in Iraq. A total of 50 clinical specimens (skin scraping, nail, and hair) were taken from male patients attending the hospital during the time period of October 2024 to February 2025. Culture of dermatophytes on Sabouraud dextrose agar and direct microscopic examination with potassium hydroxide was employed for the isolation and identification of dermatophytes. The extracts, aqueous and ethanolic of U. dioica, were prepared at three concentrations 1g/mL, 0.5g/mL and 0.25g/mL and tested by poisoned food technique and disc diffusion method. 40 out of 50 (80.0%) of clinical specimens were positive for dermatophytes while 10 (20.0%) were positive for non-dermatophytes fungi in male patients. The dermatophyte isolates were T. rubrum (15; 37.5%), T. mentagrophytes (11; 27.5%), T. tonsurans (9; 22.5%), and M. gypseum (5; 12.5%). Non-dermatophyte fungi comprised of C. albicans and A. fumigatus. The ethanolic extract of U. dioica exhibited higher antifungal activity compared to the aqueous extract and the inhibitory effect was enhanced with increasing concentration of extract. Lowest Rg values were obtained at 1g/mL of ethanolic extract in poisoned food technique. The disc diffusion method also produced the highest inhibition zones at the concentration of 1g/mL of ethanolic extract. Ethanolic extract of U. dioica showed higher antifungal activity against dermatophytes than aqueous extract. The effect was found to be more pronounced with higher concentration and hence U. dioica might be useful as natural antifungal agent to control the growth of dermatophytes.
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