Abstract

Using synthetic preservatives to control fungal disease has become important due to emergence of drug resistance and some side effects of the drugs’ remainder including carcinogenicity and teratogenicity. Lavandula, Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Althaea officinalis are some medicinal plants with proved therapeutic effects as anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic agents. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect of these plants on clinical species of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, andAspergillus flavus. Plant extracts were prepared by maceration method. The extracts at concentrations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg ml^-1 were prepared in dimethylsulfoxide. The effect of anti-fungal extracts was separately assessed using Broth macrodilutitheon. Finally, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of extracts were determined. This study showed that Lavandula, S. officinalis L., Sumac, G. glabra, and A. officinalis extracts have anti-fungal effects. The antifungal effect ofSumac, G. glabra, and Lavandula officinalis was significantly different from that observed byS. officinalis L. extract. Moreover, it was observed that A. flavus and A. fumigatus were the most sensitive and resistant fungal species to the antifungal effects of the extracts, respectively (p≤0.05). Further evaluation is necessary to elucidate the extent and mechanism of these changes.

Key words: Aspergillus, Lavandula, Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Althaea officinalis.