Evaluation of antifungal activity of alcoholic extract and safranol of Crocus sativum on Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis growth in vitro

Introduction: Candida speices are oppourtunistic fungi and can transform into pathogenic form in favorable conditions such as immuno compromised persons causing invasive fungal disease. The Crocus sativum is reported to have several therapeutic effects including antifungal activity. In this research the antifungal effects of alcoholic extract and safranol of Crocus sativum on Candida albicans and dubliniensis growth were assessed. Method and material: In this study alcoholic extract and safranol of Crocus sativum affected on Candida albicans (standard strain ATCC10321) and dubliniensis (standard strain CBS7987CD36) by microdilution broth method. Concentration (500¸250¸125¸…) and (25¸12.5¸6.25¸ …) µg/ml of alcoholic extract and safranol of Crocus sativum were prepared for MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentreation) test respectively. MIC and MFC (Minimal Fungicide Concentration) were evaluated . Results: Our result show that MIC of alcoholic Crocus sativum extract for Candida albicans was 250 µg/ml and for Candida dubliniensis was 125 µg/ml. MIC of safranol for Candida albicans was 12.5 µg/ml and for Candida dubliniensis was 6.25 µg/ml for Candida dubliniensis . MFC of alcoholic extract for Candida albicans was 500µg/ ml and for Candida dubliniensis was 125 µg/ml .MFC of safranol for Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis were 25 µg/ml and 6.25 µg/ml. Discussion: The present study was done with the aim of evaluating antifungal effect of alcoholic extract and safranol of Crocus sativum against Candida albicans and dubliniensis by microdilution method in vitro. It is seems that alcoholic extract and safranol of Crocus sativum could inhibit Candida albicans and dubliniensis growth, but according result safranol had more antifungal activity than alcoholic extract and Candida dubliniensis was more sensitive than candida albicans.Thus we suggest that Crocus sativum can be used as inhibitors of candida species growth in clinical trails ¸ especially in treatment of patient with fungal infection as natural drug.