Effect of Thymus vulgaris, Myrtus communis and nystatin on Candida albicans

Abstract

Background and Objective: Candida albicans is the most frequent etiological agent of oral candidiasis. This study was done to compare the anticandidal effect of Thymus vulgaris and Myrtus communis to nystatin on Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study thirty-two strains of Candida albicans isolated from patients with oral candidiasis. Yeast suspension of Candida yeast cells was provided, subsquntly a serial dilution from Thymus vulgaris and Myrtus communis and Nystatin in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium were prepared. Then a loop of Candida suspension was cultured on all of the solid media and was incubated at 25°C. The findings of fungus growing were recorded during 7 days. Results: MIC of Thymus vulgaris, Myrtus communis L, mix of these essences and Nystatin was 0.390µl/ml, 12.5 µl/ml, 0.78 µl/ml and 160 IU/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Thymus vulgaris contained antifungal activity against Candida albicans, but Myrtus communis demonstrated a very low activity against Candida albicans.

Keywords

• Candida albicans
• Nystatin
• Thymus vulgaris
• Myrtus communis L