evaluation of antifungal activity of essential oils of thymus vulgaris, petroselinum crispum, cuminum cyminum and bunium persicum on candida albicans in comparison with fluconazole

objective: nowadays notable increase in acquired resistance of candida species to antifungal drugs and necessity of using agents with antifungal properties is unavoidable. in some plants due to presence of components such as polyphenols have antimicrobial properties. in this study antifungal effects of essential oils of thymus vulgaris, petroselinum crispum, cuminum cyminum and bunium persicum on standard strain of candida albicans were evaluated. materials and methods: 25 grams leafs of the thymus vulgaris and petroselinum crispum and seeds of the cuminum cyminum and bunium persicum were dried and grinded after that the essential oils of each mentioned plant were prepared by clevenger system. serial dilutions of essential oils were made in 96 well microtiter plates. minimum inhibitory concentration (mic) and inhibitory zone diameter were assessed by microdilution broth and disc diffusion agar techniques, mic50, mic90 and mfc were also determined. results: minimum inhibitory concentration 90(mic90) essential oils of thymus vulgaris, petroselinum crispum, cuminum cyminum and bunium persicum were respectively 25, 72, 412, 130 µg/ml and minimal fungicide concentration (mfc) were 48, 146, 62, 280. inhibitory zone diameters were 28, 20, 12, 15 millimetres. conclusion: in this evaluation essential oils of thymus vulgaris, petroselinum crispum, cuminum cyminum and bunium persicum showed suitable antifungal effects against growth of standard strain of candida albicans. thus these herbal essences after supplementary studies possibly can be suitable substitute for chemical medicine on candida infections especially on mucocutaneous candidiasis.