Antifungal activity of herbal extracts against Malassezia species

Background: Malassezia spp. is an opportunistic dimorphicBasidiomycetous fungi associated with a variety of diseasesincluding dandruff, atopic eczema, pityriasis versicolor, seborrheicdermatitis and folliculitis. It also causes systemic infectionsin immune compromised patients. The aim of this study wasto evaluate the antimicrobial activity of nettle leaves (Urticadioica), colocynths fruits (Citrullus colocynthis), green tea (Camelliasinensis), burdock root (Arctium lappa) extracts and ketoconazoleagainst 26 isolates of Malassezia spp., isolated from patients withMalassezia infections.Method: Twenty-six (26) Malassezia spp. identified by RFLPPCR,were isolated from patients with Malassezia infections. Theantifungal activity was evaluated by micro broth dilution assay.Result: M. globosa (50%), M. furfur (46%) and M. slooffiae (4%)were the isolated strains. There was no significant differencebetween the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values forcolocynth extracts and ketoconazole. Also, the antimicrobialactivity of green tea and burdock extracts against Malassezia spp.was not significantly different (P>0.05). The minimal fungicidalconcentration (MFC) values for green tea, colocynth extracts andketoconazole against Malassezia spp. were the same (P>0.05).Conclusion: Further clinical studies are required to determinethe efficacy of C. colocynthis ethanol extract, in the treatment ofMalassezia skin disorders.