Antifungal Activity of Anethum Graveolens Extract and Atrovastatin against Candida Species Compared to Fluconazole

Candidiasis is one of the most important fungal infections caused by different species of Candida. The most common etiologic agent is Candida albicans. In recent years, there are many reports about the failure treatment of patients with different clinical forms of candidiasis. Statins have been found to have antifungal activity as well as cholesterol-lowering effects. Anethum graveolens has also exhibited antifungal and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. The purpose of the present study was evaluation of antifungal activity of Anethum graveolens and atrovastatin against Candida species in comparison with fluconazole. The present study was performed on 10 previously identified Candida isolates. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) results were obtained and compared using microdilution method for fluconazole, atrovastatin and Anethum graveolens extract. Of 10 Candida isolates, 5 (50%) were susceptible to fluconazole and 3 (30%) were dose-dependent. Two isolates, including Candida albicans and Candida krusei, were resistant to fluconazole. MIC range for atrovastatin was 32-128 µg/ml. In this study, our finding showed that atrovastatin has antifungal activity as the same previous reports; but, aqueous extract of Anethum graveolens showed no antifungal activity against the Candida species (Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, and Candida kefyr).