Pharmacognostical,Phytochemical study of Hopea parviflora Bedd. and its clinical efficacy in Alasa (Tinea pedis)

Dermatophytosis also known as Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin. Prevalence of dermatophyte infection in South India is nearly about 27.6%. One such dermatophyte infection commonly seen in the coastal belt of Karnataka is Tine pedis. Environmental factors, agrarian workforce and food habits contribute for the prevalence of this disease in South Canara region. Tinea pedis is the superficial fungal infection affecting the feet, especially inter-digital web spaces. It can be near co-related with Alasa. Alasa is one among the Kshudra rogas mentioned in the Ayurvedic literatures. The growing resistance for the anti-fungal agents in the present scenario has led to rise in the identification of safe herbal drug or formulation which is economical and easily available.

Dipterocarpaceae is dominant family in the evergreen forests of India which are well known for timber, but less acknowledged for its medicinal importance. There is mentioning of few dipterocarpaceae drugs in Ayurvedic texts which are proved potent against many skin diseases. One such dipterocarpaceae member found continuous and through out Western Ghats is Hopea parviflora Bedd. Leaves and stem bark of Hopea parviflora Bedd. are in use in the folklore practice of South Canara. Folklore medicine has given rich contribution to the development of materia-medica of Ayurveda. Integrating these traditional knowledge into mainstream healthcare would require research to understand the efficacy, safety and mechanism of action of traditional medicine. Hence an effort is made to scientifically authenticate the efficacy of drug Hopea parviflora Bedd. in Alasa(Tinea pedis).