Antifungal activity of selected medicinal herbs against canine dermatophytosis

The current study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the polyherbal combination containing Acalypha indica, Curcuma longa and common salt for the treatment canine dermatophytosis. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to assess the bioactive components present in extracts of Acalypha indica and Curcuma longa. Three different polyherbal combinations were prepared in different ratios and evaluated for its efficacy. The clinical evaluation was carried out in dogs with dermatophytosis brought to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu. The phytochemical screening of the selected herbs revealed the presence of phytoconstituents viz. alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, and carbohydrate compounds. The clinical recovery in fungal dermatophytosis in pet animals with an application of polyherbal combination in the ratio of 7:2:1 comprising Acalypha indica, Curcuma longa and saturated salt solution for four times a day for 10 days indicated that topical therapy not only eliminates fungal infection but also control the skin problem without any side effects. Also, the polyherbal antifungal combination will be an efficient and economically affordable formulation in the field to treat dermatophyte infection in pet animals.