Study of aqueous and alcoholic extract of the melissa officinalis effect on Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Candida krusei

Abstract

Background and Aim: Fungal infections, especially candida species, are the most common opportunistic fungal infections and the treatments with chemical drugs have many side effects. Melissa Officinalis has antimicrobial effects that has caused it to be considered in many microbial treatments. In this study, it has been tried to compare this herbal efficacy on Candida Albicans, Candida Glabrata and Candida Krusei. Methods: Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Melissa Officinalis was obtained by drench method. The diameter of non- growing zone of Candida Albicans, Candida Glabrata and Candida Krusei was estimated by the micro dilution method. Results: The mean diameter of the non-growing zone related to the extracts on Candida Albicans was 17.83 mm (versing 5.75 mm of aqueous extracts) and the mean diameter of the non-growing zone related to aqueous extracts on Candida Glabrata and Candida Krusei were 15.5 and 13.66 mm respectively (versing 10 and 7mm of ethanolic extracts). Conclusion: All extracts had an effect on non- growing fungal zone, however ethanolic extract of Candida Albicans and aqueous extract of Candida Krusei were more effective rather than the others. Also, there was no difference between the effect of Aqueous and ethanolic extracts in Candida Glabrata.