Abstract :
Trichophyton rubrum is fungus that causes dermatophytosis. The content of basil leaves (Ocimum
americanum L.) such as essential oils, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, alkaloids have antifungal effect
so that they can be developed as standardized herbal medicines or phytopharmaca. This research is
experimental research with Post Test - Only Control Group Design approach. The purpose of this study
was to determine the effectiveness of basil leaves as antifungal against T. rubrum growth. The method
used is the maceration method with dimethyl sulfoxide solvent and with the disc diffusion method.
The concentrations of basil leaves extract used were 10%; 12.5%; 25%; 50% and positive control
(ketoconazole 2%) and negative control (DMSO). The results of the mean inhibition zone of basil
leaves extract at each concentration from the largest dose were 1.02 mm; 1.50 mm; 2.03 mm; 2.17
mm. The conclusion of this study is the extract of basil leaves which has the power to inhibit the growth
of T. rubrum in vitro with the disc diffusion method categorized as weak antifungal. The active
compound of basil leaves has antifungal effect with the mechanism of each compound that can work
by lysing cell walls and cell membranes, disrupting the formation of nucleic acids.