Chemical composition, free radical scavenging and antifungal activity ofZanthoxylumleprieuriiessential oils against Epidermophytonfloccosum and Trichophytonrubrum

Background: These investigations were carried out to analyze the chemical composition, to evaluate the radical scavenging, and the anti-fungal activities of essential oils from leaves and fruits of Zanthoxylumleprieurii. Methods: Oils were obtained by hydro distillation using Clevenger-type apparatus. The compounds were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry. Antifungal activity of the essential oils was tested in vitro against Epidermophytonfloccosum and Trichophytonrubrumwhile free radical scavenging activity evaluation was done using 2,2-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl method. Results: Results showed that, the major components of the leaves oil were (E)-ß-ocimene (91.5 %) while the most abundant component from fruits oil were (E)-ß-Ocimene (90.3 %). The total growth inhibition of the pathogens by fruits essential oil occurred at 4.0 mg/ml and 3.0 mg/ml respectively, forEpidermophytonfloccosum and Trichophytonrubrum. The leaves oil exhibited total growth inhibition at 4.0 mg/ml against both pathogens. These oils also showed antioxidant activities with SC50 values at 2.0 mg/ml and 5.0 mg/ml respectively, for fruits and leaves. There were positive and significant correlations between mycelia growth inhibition of both pathogens and the antioxidant activities of the tested oils noted. Conclusion: These results showed that, Z. leprieurii essential oils could be used as a resource of antioxidant and antidermatophitic compounds with may find applications in pharmaceutical industries.