Hemidesmus Indicus Used as Potential Antifungal

Abstract

Hemidesmus indicus, a plant widely used in traditional medicine, has demonstrated potential as a natural antifungal agent. This study explores its efficacy against pathogenic fungi by evaluating various extracts ethanolic, methanolic, and aqueous through in vitro antifungal assays. The results indicated significant inhibitory effects, particularly from the ethanolic extract, against Candida albicans, Aspergillus Niger, and Trichophyton rubrum. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, which are likely responsible for the antifungal activity. These findings support the potential of Hemidesmus indicus as a source of bioactive compounds for the development of plant-based antifungal treatments.

Introduction

Hemidesmus indicus, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Indian medicine, is known for treating a variety of ailments including snakebites, infections, diabetes, inflammation, and cancer. The plant’s roots contain several bioactive compounds, most notably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (HMBA), which contributes to its characteristic fragrance and exhibits significant antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

HMBA disrupts fungal cell membranes and enzymatic functions, inducing oxidative stress that inhibits growth of pathogens such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus species. The compound is typically extracted from dried root powder using ethanol through maceration.

A topical antifungal gel formulation incorporating HMBA has been developed, using Carbapol as a gelling agent, along with other excipients for stability, pH adjustment, and preservation. The gel is light brown with a vanillin-like odor, smooth consistency, and suitable pH for topical application.

Though promising as a natural antifungal agent, further research is needed to fully understand HMBA’s efficacy, optimal dosage, and safety for clinical use.

Conclusion

1) The available research conclude that Hemidesmus indicus has contain different types of phytochemicals like alkaloid , flavonoids, tannins, glycosides , resins which is shows different types of pharmacological activity such as antimicrobial, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, diuretics, wound healing etc[33]. 2) In this research we are conclude that 2-hydroxy 4- methoxy benzaldehyde as potential antifungal agent from H.indicus against various species such as Candida species, Aspergillus nigher, Dermatophytes[34]. 3) In this research we are preparing a herbal antifungal gel of 2-hydroxy 4- methoxy benzaldehyde Along with additives like Humectant , preservative, co-solvent etc. 4) In this studies proved that the herbal antifungal gel are effective against various fungi by performing antifungal activity[35].

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prof. Mrs. Pooja Deshmane, Tejas Yadav, Prashant Aher, Santosh Adhe, Gajanan Ambhure, Agra Mudassir Mujeeb Ur Rehman. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.