in vitro anti-candida activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of heracleum persicum fruit against phatogenic candida species

background: nowadays candida albicans has become resistant to the toxic and expensive commercial anti-candida drugs. therefore, investigation for new anti-fungal agents is necessary. objectives: the purpose of this survey was to investigate the in vitro anti-candida activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of heracleum persicum fruit. materials and methods: the plant ingredients were extracted using 80% ethanol and the extract was screened against 46 isolated pathogenic candida species such as c. albicans, c. glabrata and c. tropicalis by agar well diffusion method. results: the minimum inhibitory concentration (mic) values at 24 and 48 hours were 0.625 - 20 µg/µl for c. albicans, 0.625 - 40 µg/µl for c. glabrata, and 5.0 - 20 µg/µl for c. tropicalis. conclusions: the results of this survey confirmed that tested plant extract had a potential anti-candida activity. hence, it is suggested to isolate and identify its active compounds in future.