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.