The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

A comparison between antifungal effect of Fumaria officinalis, Echinacea angustifolia, vinegar, and fluconazole against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata isolated from vagina candidiasis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Majid Bagheri 1
Mahnaz Mahmoudi Rad 2
Ardalan Mansouri 3
Shima Younespour 4
Robabeh Taheripanah 5
1 M.Sc. of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gilan, Rasht, Iran.
2 PhD of Medical Mycology, Skin Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3 Bachelor of Laboratory Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4 M.Sc. of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5 Gynecologist, Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2015.4074
Abstract
Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an annoying disease among women caused mainly by Candida albicans (C.albicans) and Candida glabrata (C.glabrata). This study was performed with aim to evaluate the antifungal effect of apple vinegar, grape vinegar, and date vinegar, methanol extract of Fumaria officinalis (shahtareh), and methanol extract of Echinacea angustifolia (sarkhar gol) compared to fluconazole to prevent Candida albicans and Candida glabrata isolated from vagina candidiasis.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 49 samples of vaginal dischargeof women with positive Vulvovaginal who had not respond to fluconazole at Tehran Mahdieh Hospital in 2013. Among these 49 samples, 13 cases of candida albicans and glabrata were diagnosed and isolated. Extracts of plants were obtained by maceration method. Agar well diffusion was performed to determine inhibition zone (halo) diameter; Candida albicans and Candida glabrata susceptibility or resistance against prepared plant compounds were examined. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) using Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney tests. PResults: Fluconazole had larger inhibition zone compared to studied organic compounds. However, apple and grape vinegars had significant effect among natural compounds. Other compounds had no significant effect.
Conclusion: Medical plants and vinegars had smaller inhibition zone than fluconazole, had no serious side-effects, and impose very less cost. Moreover, no definite method has been known to reliably evaluate the plants considering to inhibition zone (halo) diameter
Keywords
Agar diffusion
Candida albicans
Candida glabrata
Echinacea angustifolia
Fumaria officinalis
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