Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity and Antifungal Efficacy of Crocus sativus (saffron) Petals on Clinical Isolates of Candida albicans

Abstract

Background: Candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections caused by Candida species. Due to increasing reports of various side effects of current antifungals and the emergence of resistant isolates, other therapeutic tools seem necessary. Recently, researchers focused on herbal medicines with fewer side effects and lower costs. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility and toxicity profiles of dry extract of Crocus sativus petals in C. albicans isolates from patients with proven candidiasis. Materials and Methods: Fifty clinical isolates of C. albicans were gathered, cultured, and stored. After preparing and purifying the dry extract of C. sativus petals, the cytotoxicity test was performed by MTT assay in the L929 cell line. Antifungal susceptibility testing of dry extract of C. sativus petals and fluconazole was performed using the broth microdilution according to the CLSI-M27-S3 document. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 software. P < 0.05 was considered as a significant statistical value. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations 50 and geometric mean of fluconazole and dry extract of C. sativus petals for all isolates were (0.25 <mu>g/mL and 0.19 mu g/mL) and (4 mu g/mL and 5.32 mu g/mL), respectively. These values were statistically different (P < 0.05). The dry extract of C. sativus petals had lower antifungal activity against C. albicans than fluconazole. Conclusions: We found that the antifungal activity of the dry extract of C. sativus petals is lower than that of fluconazole; however, its safety can be considered a potential therapeutic option for treating different forms of candidiasis.