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The aqueous leaf extract of Pterocarpus erinaceus (Leguminoceae) was investigated for possible antimycotic effect in Sprague dawley rats. The extract was tested against moulds (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus) and dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum gypseum). The extract at 20-40 mg kg-1 body weight significantly (p<0.05) and dose dependently inhibited the growth rate of the moulds and dermatophytes by over 60 and 97%, respectively. In the in vivo study, there was also a significant reduction in the number of dermatophyte spores recovered from the infected sites treated with the extract as compared with the non treated sites. The extract produced no sign of acute toxicity or death when a limit dose of 2 g kg-1 body weight was administered orally in rats. Collectively, these results suggest that the extract possess antimycotic effect and appears to be safe when given orally at a limit dose of 2 g kg-1 body weight of the rats. This therefore supports the use of Pterocarpus erinaceus leaf extract traditionally for the treatment of fungal skin diseases.
