Abstract

TREVINO N., Jaime Fco. et al. Antifungic activity of Echinocereus stramineus and Stenocereus pruinosus. Rev. mex. cienc. farm [online]. 2012, vol.43, n.1, pp.42-48. ISSN 1870-0195.

We evaluated the presence of secondary metabolites, antifungal activity and toxicity of methanolics extracts of cactus Stenocereus pruinosus and Equinocereus stramineus. The determination of antifungal activity was evaluated on dermatophytes (Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, M. cookei and M. nanum) by dissemination in plate method. Toxicity of extracts was determined by lethality assay of Artemia salina. Methanolic extracts of both species had alkaloids, triterpenes, saponins and flavonoids, while for antifungal activity results were relevant to S. pruinosus, with inhibition at lower doses of 125mg/mL. Both species showed lethal doses above 500 mg/mL for Artemia salina. S. pruinosus is an alternative for the development of new antifungal drugs.

Keywords : antifungal activity; phytochemical screening; cacti.