ABSTRACT Fungal infections and other diseases associated with free radical generation and inflammation are currently a critical public health issue that needs innovative control measures. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-radical properties of extracts from Croton zambesicus, Mallotus oppositifolius, Drypetes gossweileri, and Neoboutonia glabrescens. The antifungal activity of the extracts prepared by maceration with methanol and/or dichloro-methylene was assessed using well diffusion and microdilution methods. The extract’s inhibitory effect on 5-lipoxygenase was used to measure its anti-inflammatory activity, and a free radical scavenging assay was utilized to measure its anti-radical activity. The standardized procedures were used to subjectively identify some secondary metabolites. The inhibition zone diameters ranged from 6 to 24 mm for yeasts and the inhibitory percentages ranged from 0 to 100% for dermatophytes and moulds. The minimal inhibitory concentration obtained ranged from 390.62 to 6250 µg/ml. Some of the extracts presented fungicidal effect and the minimal fungicidal concentration ranged from 781.25 to 6250 µg/ml. The phytochemical screening highlighted the uneven presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, essential oils, anthocyanins, coumarins, triterpenes, anthraquinones, and saponins. The extracts displayed anti-inflammatory and antiradical potency and the IC50 and SC50 ranged from 29.93 to 93.70 ppm and from 33.45 mg/ml to 165 mg/ml, respectively. The biological activities of these plants support further investigation to warrant its usefulness in the control of fungal infection.
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