Antifungal Activity of Cassia fistula L. Extracts against Macrophomina phaseolina (TASSI.) Goid.: In vitro Study

Aim: To evaluate the anti-fungal properties of Cassia fistula with alcohol soluble and aqueous extracts against Macrophomina phaseolina. Methods: Ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared and qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytoconstituents was done. The antioxidant and antifungal activity of the extracts were determined. Results: It was observed that the methanolic extract had the highest (15.65%) extraction yield, whereas ethanolic extract had the lowest (12.45%) extraction yield. While screening for secondary metabolites, cardiac glycosides were found to be lacking in all three solvent extracts, while sterols was absent in the aqueous extract. The methanolic extract contained the highest amounts of phenolic compounds (13.38±0.060 mg GAE/g dw.), flavonoid (10.58±0.074 mg QUE/g dw.), tannin (11.43±0.052 mg TAE/g dw.), and alkaloid (16.18±0.062 mg AE/g dw.). The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the methanolic extract at 300 µg/ml (% inhibition, 63.02%). Antifungal activity against M. phaseolina was also highest (68.07%) for the methanolic fraction. Conclusion: C. fistula extracts may be further be explored to formulate antifungal agents.