Investigating the Effects of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Allium Hirtifolium and Allium Jesdianum on Keratinase Activity of Trichophyton Mentagrophytes

Abstract

Background: Trichophyton spp., as pathogenic species to humans and animals, cause different forms of dermatophytosis through the production of particular enzymes, playing an essential role in tissue invasion. Among these, herein, keratinase was investigated, for the specific case of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, as a target of the effects of Allium hirtifolium and Allium jesdianum extracts, thus pharmacological potential of these plants was studied against keratinase activity. Methodology: Sampling was carried out on 20 bald patients from medical diagnostic laboratories and mycology centers, with suspected dermatophytosis of scalp. For confirming the presence of Trichophyton mentagrophytes in the specimens, different laboratory procedures were applied. Trichophyton mentagrophytes isolates were cultured on a screening medium containing keratin to verify production of the keratinase enzyme. The best enzyme-producing isolate was selected by measuring diameter of transparent halo around colony to be used in subsequent stages. Afterwards, the optimized conditions maximizing enzyme production and activity were determined. Finally, the inhibitory effect of different dilutions of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Allium jesdianum and Allium hirtifolium on extracellular keratinase activity was studied. Results : Sixteen out of 20 fungal isolates were identified as the Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The most desirable reduction on keratinase activity was reported for dilution values of 50 and 100 mg/ml of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A.jesdianum, though much more significant decrease belonged to the latter, and for dilution values of 25 and 100 mg/ ml of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A.hirtifolium. Conclusion : Concerning our results, it is suggested that paying special attention to these natural compounds for the treatment of dermatophytosis could be remarkably effective, considering significant production of keratinase observed in T. mentagrophytes, and they are beneficial, as they have no side effects and offer an alternative to currently available medications, which are under the restriction of drug resistance.