Assessment of Phytochemicals and Antifungal Potency of Leptadenia hastata Ethanolic Extract Against Some Selected Fungal Pathogens

Abstract

Leptadenia hastata is a perennial plant widely recognized for its diverse ethnomedicinal 
applications, including notable antifungal properties. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical 
composition and antifungal efficacy of L. hastata leaf extract prepared using ethanol as the solvent. 
Air-dried leaves of the plant were subjected to ethanolic extraction and subsequently screened for 
key phytochemical constituents such as tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and steroids. 
The antifungal activity of the extract was assessed using both disc diffusion and broth dilution 
techniques. These methods were employed to determine the zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory 
concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against selected fungal 
pathogens. Fluconazole was used as a standard antifungal drug for comparison. Phytochemical 
screening confirmed the presence of multiple bioactive compounds, suggesting a potential 
synergistic role in the antifungal mechanism. The ethanolic extract exhibited dose-dependent 
antifungal activity, with zones of inhibition ranging from 13.0 ± 0.8 mm to 50.3 ± 1.3 mm at 
concentrations between 25 and 100 mg/mL. The MIC for all tested fungal isolates was determined 
to be 25 mg/mL. MFC values varied, with Aspergillus fumigatus showing the lowest MFC at 25 mg/mL, 
while Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus flavus required 50 mg/mL. These 
findings demonstrate that the ethanolic extract of L. hastata possesses significant antifungal 
activity against a range of pathogenic fungi. The results support its potential development as a 
natural antifungal agent and warrant further investigation into its active compounds, mechanisms of 
action, and therapeutic applications.