Evaluation of the Effects of Eucalyptus and Lavandula on the Growth of Candida albicans Strains resistant and Sensitive to Caspofungin

Candida albicans is the most common and important factor causing candidiasis infections in human. As fungi are resistant to anti-fungal agents, and also with respect to the restrictions in treatment of fungal diseases such as their high costs and side effects, study of the combination of herbal medicine is truly required. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of herbal essences of eucalyptus and lavandula on the growth of clinical Candida albicans strains which have been separated from mucosal, cutaneous and visceral infections, and compared to those Candida albicans which are resistant and sensitive to caspofungin. The present study has been carried out on 41 Candida albicans taken from patients suffering from mucosal, cutaneous and visceral candidiasis. The degree of samples’ sensitivity to eucalyptus and lavandula were determined through applying broth microdilution method. In the present study, the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of eucalyptus against Candida albicans was determined at 4-1024µl/ml, in which the most growth fluctuations were seen in the densities of 512 and 128 µl/ml. Moreover, the MIC of lavandula was determined at 1-256 µl/ml, and the most fluctuations in its growth were in the density of 32 and 16 µl/ml. Eucalyptus and lavandula essences have a very good anti-fungal effect against Candida albicans. In the present study, lavandula essence proved better anti-candidiasis effects while no considerable difference was seen between the strains sensitive and resistant to caspofungin in its MIC. In higher densities, eucalyptus essence prevents strains from growing. Therefore, it is recommended to investigate the effects of these essences on other pathogenic fungi and bacteria. It is also recommended to evaluate the use of combinations of two or more essences for curing infections or preventing their reoccurrence.