Journal of Biological Sciences1727-30481812-5719Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jbs.2010.448.454Ageratum houstonianum (Asteraceae)]]>NjatengG.S.S. KuiateJ.R. GatsingD. TamokouJ.D. MouokeuR.S. KueteV. 52010105In order to assess the antidermatophytic activity and the acute dermal toxicity of Ageratum houstonianum Mill., the essential oil was obtained from the leaves by hydrodistillation and tested against two clinical isolates of dermatophytes: Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The potentialisation of activity between griseofulvin and the essential oil was evaluated. The proportions of essential oil/griseofulvin tested were 8:2 and 10:1 (w/w). Also, the acute dermal toxicity of this oil was evaluated on guinea-pigs (Cavia porcellus) using a standard method. Agar dilution method with serial dilution of the oil and the mixtures was used for antidermatophytic tests. The percentage inhibition of the fungal growth at each concentration was determined. The MIC of the essential oil was 80 μg mL-1 for the tested dermatophytes. That of the 8:2 mixture was 20 μg mL-1, whereas those of the 10:1 mixture were 8 and 10 μg mL-1 for Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, respectively. Compared to the control group, we noted no diarrhoea, no change in treated skin and on the fur appearance. In the contrary, the degree of sensitivity to noise, reaction to pinch, activity (locomotion) and reactivity decreased with increase in the dose. The LD50 was determined to be 5 g kg-1 b.wt. These data suggest that the essential oil of the leaves of Ageratum houstonianum contains antidermatophytic compound(s) and may not be toxic when used topically. A potentialisation effect was observed between the essential oil and griseofulvin.]]>Abcar, A.C., L. Chan and H. Yeoh,200485153Barrera-Necha, L.L., C. Garduno-Pizana and L.J. Garcia-Barrera,2009In vitro antifungal activity of essential oils and their compounds on mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli (Massey) snyder hansen,]]>81721Behrens, B. and G. Karber,19831983Bouree, P.,20084th Edn.,Chen, J. Z. Wan and R. Li,2004Candida species.]]>4217901793Clark, T.A. and R.A. Hajjeh,200215569574Delongeas, J.L., D. Burnel, P. Netter, M. Grignon, J.M. Mur, R.J. Royer and G. Grignon,198314437447ECL.,1981pp: 1-8pp: 1-8Feuilhade, M., J. Bazex, A. Claudy and J.C. Roujeau,200212925582564Gatsing, D., R. Aliyu, J.R. Kuiate, I.H. Garba and K.H. Jaryum et al.,2005Allium sativum bulbs on laboratory mice and rats.]]>13945Gatsing, D., V. Tchakoute, D. Ngamga, J.R. Kuiate and J.D.D. Tamokou et al.,2009In vitro antibacterial activity of Crinum purpurascens Herb. leaf extract against the Salmonella species causing typhoid fever and its toxicological evaluation.]]>34126136Gatsing, D., C.F.N. Nkeugouapi, B.F.N. Nkah, J.R. Kuiate and F.M. Tchouanguep,2010Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae).]]>6173182Ghannoum, A.M. and L.B. Rice,199912501517Giordani, R., P. Regli, J. Kaloustian and H. Portugal,2006Cinnamomum cassia.]]>205861Gornal, A., J. Bardawill and M. David,194912177751Goyal, R.K. and S.V. Kadnur,2006Zingiber officinale on goldthioglucose induced obesity.]]>77160163Iqbal, M.C.M., U.L.B. Jayasinghe, H.M.T.B. Herath, K.B. Wijesekara and Y. Fujimoto,2004Ageratum conyzoides L.]]>32119126James, T.P. and D.P. Kathleen,1992pp: 843pp: 843Kopecek, P., E. Weigl and M. Raska,1999Trichophyton mentagrophytes, mutants with changed growth rate at different cultivation temperature.]]>1422933Lorougnon, F., P. Heron, M. Therizol, J. Kanga, D. Djeha, P. Yoboue and D. Boussou,199138707714Menut, C., G. Lamaty, Z.P.H. Amvam, J.R. Kuiate, and J.M. Bessiere,1993Ageratum houstonianum Mill. and Ageratum conyzoides L. from Cameroon.]]>8160Newman, D.J. and C.P. Price,19991999Pfaller, M.A., D.J. Sheehan and J.H. Rex,200417268280Sanglard, D. and F.C. Odds,2002Candida species to antifungal agents: Molecular mechanisms and clinical consequences.]]>27385Siebertz, R., P. Prokschi, and L. Witte,1990Ageratum houstonianum.]]>2923352348Schmitt, H.,1973pp: 225-271pp: 225-271Valnet, J.,19809th Edn.,pp: 443pp: 443WHO,1993pp: 94pp: 94Wiedenfeld, H. and A. Andrade-Cetto,2001Ageratum houstonianum Mill.]]>5712691271Zacchino, S., C. Santecchia, S. Lopez, S. Gattuso and J. Munoz et al.,1998In vitro antifungal evaluation and studies of mode of actions of eight selected species from the argentina flora.]]>3389395