The Effect of Combretum molle Seed Extracts on the Growth of the Mycelial Form of Histoplasma capsulatum Var Farciminosum-an In Vitro Trial

Epizootic lymphangitis (EL) compromises the welfare of working horses and has a serious negative impact on the livelihoods of cart horse owners/drivers in the affected parts of Ethiopia. Unfortunately, antifungal drugs for the treatment of EL are unavailable in both private and government clinics. The spread of multidrug-resistant strains of fungi motivates to discover new classes of antifungal compounds that inhibit these resistant strains. Therapeutic alternative compounds, particularly those isolated from plants have shown promising empirical effect on different fungal strains, which are unresponsive to chemical anti fungi drugs. Histoplasma capsulatum var farciminosum obtained from Aklilu Lema Institue of Patho Biology (ALIPB) was used as test organism. Agar dilution assay was performed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Combretum molle seed extract and to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Ketaconazole was used as a positive control. Combretum molle seed extracts inhibit the growth of HCF up to 0.0156%. Hydrolysable tannins have a great potential in inhibition of fungal growth. In case of topical application, tannins have haemostatic effect and wound closure property.