Balanites kernel oil for the treatment of dermatophytes: a clinical trial

In a previous in vitro study, we have shown that the kernel oil of fruits of the tree Balanites aegyptiaca referred to as Balanites kernel oil [BKO] is active against dermatophytes [i.e. superficial mycosis, ringworms, tineas [T. captitis, T. cercinata and T. pedis]. We report here our clinical trials with BKO. Trials were performed on patients presenting at Wad Medani Dermatology Teaching Hospital as well as primary school children in Elsoreeba Town [5 km south of Wad Medani]. Not all patients followed treatment till completely cured. Patients treated with BKO [half of the total] achieved complete cure in 3-5 weeks, on average, while those treated with the standard antifungal drug Miconazole [half of the total patients] did the same in the longer period of 3-8 weeks. Photographs showing progress of response to BKO treatments are included. BKO has great potential for development as a commercial drug for the treatment of dertmatophytes

In vitro studies on the potentiality of Balanites oil in the treatment of some superficial mycoses

Fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca are traditionally used in paste form for curing some skin diseases in few areas in Western Sudan. Our initial results pointed to the fruit kernel containing the active ingredient. Further studies were meant to test, in vitro, the effect of Balanites fruit kernel oil on three isolates which are known to cause superficial mycoses namely: Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton soudanense and T. mentagrophytes. The three test organisms were subcultured on sabouraud's medium to which different concentrations of Balanites kernel oil were added. In addition to appropriate controls a normal vegetable oil viz. peanut oil, was tested. BKO, at 5% concentration, showed marked [>70%] growth inhibition against the three fungal isolates tested. No antifungal activity was observed in controls, including peanut oil. Two fractions of Balanites kernel oil were prepared namely: the free fatty acids [FFA] and the unsaponifiable matter [UM], and when tested for antifungal activity with the three test organisms, the activity resided exclusively in the free fatty acid fraction. Initial clinical studies on Balanites kernel oil, currently underway, largely confirmed our in vitro work described here