Comparision of the effect of myrtus communis extract and clotrimazole on candida albicans isolated from patients with candida vaginitis

There are many reports about antifungal and antimicrobial effects of Myrtle extract. In respect to resistance of fungal strains to current antifungal drugs such as imidazole derivatives, a comparative study was carried out to Investigate the antifungal effect of Myrtle extract versus clotrimazole on candida albicans, the most common cause of vaginal candidiasis . The vaginal discharge of 500 patients complaining of vaginitis symptoms attending the women's clinic of Bahonar hospital were cultured in specific and selective medium ( Nikerson medium) for isolation of candida species. Based on macroscopic appearance of the colonies and germ tube test, 80 positive cultures of candida albicans were isolated. Metabolic extract of Myrtle leaves was prepared by maceration method and filter paper disks containing 20 mg of either the extract or clotrimazole was provided. The positive samples were tested by disc diffusion method. Results showed that the antifungal effect of methanolic extract was greater than that of clotrimazole ( p<0.001) . There was a positive correlation between inhibition zone diameter of clotrimazole and Myrtle extract ( r= 0.86) . The mean inhibition zone surface of Myrtle  extract was 1.28 times of clotrimazole.