ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF PEGANUM HARMALA IN VITRO.

Regarding the previous studies on anti bacterial and anti parasitic activities of peganum harmala in both traditional and modern uses, comprehensives studies on fungi are necessary. The goal of this study was determination of minimum inhibitory concentration of peganum harmala alcoholic extract on Candida and pathogenic Aspergillus species in vitro.

Materials & Methods: The study subjects were Candida�species�and Aspergillus isolated from clinical specimens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined as the first diluted fungus tube being compared to MCFarland standard 0.5 (without a turbid appearance). In order to detect the minimum fungicidal concentration, a small volume of each treated minimum inhibitory concentration tube was inoculated on Saboroud glucose agar 4%. The first media plate with no growth of fungi was considered as minimum fungicidal concentration.

Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration was measured on Candida species. As we showed the most significant inhibitory effect of peganum harmala extract detected on Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata and the lowest inhibitory effect on Candida albicans. The highest fungicidal effect was on Candida glabrata and the less effect on Candida albicans. We could not show a detectable inhibitory and fungicidal effect on Aspergillu species.

Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of peganum harmala seeds shows inhibitory and fungicidal activity against Candida species.