inhibitory effect of curcumin on candida-albicans compared with nystatin: an in-vitro study

introduction: curcumin is the active ingredient in the traditional herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric (curcuma longa). curcumin has a surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity. on basis of recent studies; it has antifungal and antibacterial effects. the aim of this study was in-vitro evaluation of antifungal effect of curcumin on candida albicans and comparing it with nystatin. methods: after preparing curcumin powder, 3 laboratory methods were used to evaluate antifungal effect. the first method was cell count technique, used to evaluate the amount of candida albicans after time, in different concentrations of curcumin in dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso). the second was cup bioassay, in which inhibitory a zone of curcumin in dmso was evaluated in sabouraud culture plates; and in third method, inhibitory zones of dried disks; which contained curcumin in dmso were evaluated. results: the result of all three methods showed that curcumin has antifungal effect and this effect increases in more concentrations. conclusion: curcumin has apparent and dose dependent antifungal effect on candida albicans.