ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIFUNGAL PROPERTIES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM THE AMAZON RAINFOREST, ECUADOR; MONTERREY, MEXICO; AND TAIWAN

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of 24 species of medicinal plants collected in the Amazon Rainforest of Eastern Ecuador under the direction of Komi, a Waorani Indian herbal healer, were tested for antifungal activity against the filamentous bread mold, Rhizopus stolonifer and two non-filamentous yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces carlsburg. Five of the 24 species have shown significant antifungal activity. Four herbal remedies purchased in Mexico and 4 purchased in Taiwan were also tested. Six of the purchased remedies showed antifungal activity. The level of antifungal activity found in the Ecuador plants was similar to or greater than that found in the commercial remedies. Further testing to determine the phytopharmaceutical potential of these plant extracts is warranted.