ABSTRACT
Fungal infection of animals, including humans, known scientifically as mycoses are common and can be caused by a variety of environmental and physiological conditions. Colonization on a localized area on the skin as well as the inhalation of fungal spores may start persistent infections; therefore, mycoses often start in the lungs or on the skin. Various plant species are used in Borneo for treating different types of mycoses such as ring worm, jock itch, oral thrush and so forth. Senna alata L. is a common wayside shrub in Borneo, especially in open swampy areas. Anthraquinones have been isolated from S. alata and have been shown to display anti-fungal activities. Hymenocallis littoralis Salisb. and Crinum asiaticum L. belong to the same family – Amaryllidaceae and are both tropical coastal beach species. H. littoralis displayed activity against the opportunistic yeast, C. albicans. Anti-fungal activities in Musa × paradisiaca are often attributed to phytoalexins which are produced in response to fungal infection.
