Antifungal activity of total extract and chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous fractions of aerial parts of Ephedra pachyclada against fungal strains

Increased consumption of synthetic antifungal compounds has created serious side effects and wide spread anti fungal resistance. This persuades researchers to look for effective herbal plants as an alternative option. We report the results of anti fungal properties of different crude extract and relevant fraction of aerial parts of Ephedra pachyclada. In this experimental study, extracts and fractions of Ephedra pachyclada were obtained by maceration standard methods. The crude extract and fractions were diluted in defferent values from 31.25 to 500mg/ml. Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Fusarium oxysporium were used for anti fungal activity assessment using standard agar diffusion methods. Total extract and chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous fractions had antifungal effects against Candida albicans only. We concluded that this plant contains antifungal compounds on Candida albicans, so this experiments and evaluation are pre-requirement of any applicable recommendation.