Antifungal activity of propolis against dermatophytes and Candida albicans isolated from human mouth

Abstract

Objective This study includes the investigation of antifungal activity of the local propolis against dermatophytes and yeast.Methods Two fungi belonging to dermatophytes, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. tonsurans, isolated from patients were tested. Sixconcentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg/ml) of propolis extract were tested against these two fungal pathogens. Clotrimazole was usedas control with 2 mg/ml concentration. So, five oral Candida albicans isolates were extracted from patients, these isolates were givennumbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Seven concentrations (0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg/ml) of propolis extract were tested against C. albicans isolates.Results The results revealed presence of significant difference (P < 0.05) in the effect of propolis extract against two dermatophytes ofthe current study. T. tonsurans was more sensitive to propolis extract terms, the percentage of inhibition being 100% in each of theconcentrations (10, 15, 20, 25 mg/ml), whereas it showed 72.4% at 5 mg/ml concentration. T. mentagrophytes did not show completeinhibition percentage which gave a high percentage, 94.2% with 25 mg/ml concentration. Additionally, results revealed presence ofsignificant difference (P < 0.05) in the effect of propolis extract against C. albicans isolates of this study. C. albicans 1 isolate was the mosteffective isolate among the others toward propolis extract. Results of this study also showed increasing inhibition zone if theconcentration of propolis extract was increased.Conclusion The local propolis that was collected from the apiaries of holy Karbala province has antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes,T. tonsurans and C. albicans isolates.