Investigation of the Antifungal Effect of Rosa Damascena Essential Oil and Mixed Mouthwash (Grape Vinegar and Rosa Damascena essential oil) Against Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata

Background and Objective: Oral candidiasis is often caused by Candida albicans, followed by C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis, and C. glabrata. The present study aimed to investigate the antifungal effects of Rosa damascena (R. damascena) essential oil, mixed mouthwash of R. damascena essential oil and grape vinegar, as well as nystatin against various standard Candida species. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 5 standard strains of various Candida species. The anti-Candida effects of R. damascena and mixed mouthwash against various Candida strains were assessed using well diffusion and broth macrodilution methods. Nystatin was utilized as a positive control drug. Results: The results of the well diffusion assay of  R. damascena essential oil and mixed mouthwash were 17 and 6 mm regarding C. albicans strains, respectively, and 15 mm and 0 regarding other Candida strains, respectively. With respect to the results obtained from broth macrodilution test, the minimum inhibitory concentration of R. damascena essential oil and mixed mouthwash were found to be 8 and 6 µg/ml, 124 and 12 µg/ml, 31 and 12 µg/ml, as well as 62 and 25 µg/ml for C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata , and C. parapsilosis, respectively. Moreover, C. albicans was the most sensitive Candida species to R. damascena essential oil and the mixed mouthwash. Conclusion: The results showed that R. damascena essential oil and mixed mouthwash remarkably led to the inhibition of Candida species growth causing oral candidiasis.