Plant Extracts: A Good Source of Treatment of Mucormycosis

Abstract

Mucormycosis (black fungus), is a rare but serious fungal infection caused by Mucorales order. This black fungus is seen mostly in post Covid-19 patients in India. The black fungus affects skin, lungs and brain. In vitro antimycotic activity of leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus, Lantana camara, Nerium indicum, Sida cordifolia and Ziziphus mauritiana were studied against M. circinelloides. Patients with COVID are currently being affected by mucormycosis as a result of extended steroid use. Therefore, it is necessary to develop antimycotic agents that are more potent and less toxic in order to treat mucormycosis. Plants and their extracts have been utilized in the treatment of infectious diseases.   Aqueous, ethanol, and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) leaf extracts were tested for antimycotic efficacy in this study. All leaf extracts of chosen medicinal herbs were found to be effective against M. circinelloides.  The strongest antimycotic activity was demonstrated by the ethanol leaf extract of C. roseus, followed by N. indicum and L. camara. M. circinelloides was subjected to moderate activity from Z. mauritiana.