Antifungal activities of seven West African Combretaceae used in traditional medicine.

Seven species of Combretaceae were investigated for their antifungal activity against the pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum. Pteleopsis suberosa and Terminalia avicennioides appear to be the most active plants. Phytochemical screening shows that these plants are particularly rich in tannins and saponins, which might be responsible for their antifungal activity.