ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT LEAF EXTRACTS OF MUSSAENDA FRONDOSA LINN. ON MALASSEZIA FURFUR

Malassezia furfur is the primary fungal agent responsible for dandruff, a prevalent scalp disorder. Folk practitioners have long utilised Mussaenda frondosa Linn. (M. frondosa) for its medicinal properties, including its use in treating dandruff. This study evaluates the antifungal activity of Aqueous, Hydro-Alcohol, and Chloroform leaf extracts of M. frondosa Linn. against the dandruff-causing fungus M. furfur. Methods: The leaf extracts were obtained by cold maceration and evaporation extraction. The well diffusion method was used to investigate antifungal activity. The standard drug used in the study was Fluconazole. Results: Chloroform extract showed significant antifungal activity in higher concentrations against M. furfur.