Phytochemical Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Aqueous Extracts of <i>Euphorbia hirta </i>against <i>Trichophyton interdigitale</i>

The growing incidence of fungal infections and the increasing resistance of dermatophytes to conventional antifungal drugs have intensified the search for alternative, plant-based antifungal agents with improved efficacy and safety profiles.  This study aims to determine the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical profiles and the antifungal activities of aqueous extracts from different parts of E. hirta, including flowers, leaves, stem bark, and roots.  The plant parts were extracted by maceration, and the phytochemical constituents were determined qualitatively and quantitatively using the protocol.  Trichophyton interdigitale was isolated from skin, and its identity was confirmed using standard microbiological procedures.  The antifungal activities of the extracts were assessed against T. interdigitale using both the agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods.  A higher yield of the extracts was obtained from the plant's leaves, at 16.38%.  Several bioactive compounds were detected qualitatively, including saponins, phenols, tannins, carbohydrates, and flavonoids.  Phenols had the highest quantity of 417.34±0.49mg/g in the leaf extracts.  All the extracts showed antifungal activity against T. interdigitale, with leaf extracts showing activity even at a lower concentration of 250mg/mL (12.75±0.02mm), while the rest of the extracts inhibited T. interdigitale at 1000mg/mL and 500mg/mL only.  However, the extracts showed synergistic activity, with a combination of flower and leaf extracts yielding 18.95±0.07mm at 500mg/mL.  The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were obtained at 120mg/mL and 125mg/mL, respectively, by the leaf extracts.  This study comparatively evaluates the phytochemical composition, antifungal activity, and synergistic effects of aqueous extracts from different parts of Euphorbia hirta against Trichophyton interdigitale.