Antifungal Activity of Camel Faeces with Special Reference to Dermatophytes

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal activity of camel faeces on some pathogenic fungi.

Study Design: This is a descriptive evaluation study.

Methodology: Camel faeces was extracted following Harborne method using organic solvents. Organic extracts besides, aqueous extract and ash were screened against clinical isolates using agar-well diffusion and incorporated methods. Parallel experiments were conducted with ketoconazole and nystatin, as positive control whereas; the vehicle solvents were used as negative control. Phytochemical analysis of Camel feaces was carried out following Harborne method.

Results: Water and ethanol extracts exerted significant effect on dermatophytes followed by chloroform and hexane extracts compared to the ash which revealed no activity. Aspergillus and Pencillium species were found insensitive to all test extracts where as Candida albicans was found sensitive only to the hexane extract. Sterols and triterpenes were revealed on phytochemical analysis.

Discussion: The antifungal activity of camel faeces might be due to the sterols and triterpenes.

Conclusion: The study confirms efficacy of camel faeces as natural antifungal agent, and suggests the possibility of employing it for treatment of skin infections, caused by the test pathogens. The present study reveals first report on the use of camel faeces against some pathogenic fungi.

Recommendation: Identification and characterization of novel molecules are highly recommended.