A comparative study of the effects of Clotrimazole and Salvia officinalis extract against vaginal Candida albicans isolated from women with candidacies vaginitis

Vaginal Candidiasis is the most common vaginitis in women and Clotrimazole is the choice treatment. The side effects of drugs and microorganisms resistant are big problems in medicine and herbal therapy seems to be suitable alternative. This study was carried out to evaluate the antifungal effects of Clotrimazole and Salvia officinalis on vaginal C. albicans. A vaginal sample of 100 women with vaginal candidiasis was collected in the tube containing 1cc of normal saline. These samples were cultured and 24 C. albicanses were identified which entered to the study. Then C. albicans was cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar media which contained clotrimazole or extract of Salvia officinalis and MIC 50% and 90% were determined. The Salvia officinalis inhibited the growth of C. albicanses. The mean concentration of Clotrimazole was 0.65±0.55 µg/ml in MIC 50% and 4.8 ± 3.59 µg/ml in MIC 90%. The mean concentration of Salvia officinalis was 24.04± 24.2 mg/ml in MIC 50% and 56.2± 28.4 mg/ml in MIC 90. Salvia officinalis with 1.25 and 20 mg/ml concentration inhibited the growth of standard strain of C. albicans PTCC5027 up to 50% ane 90%, respectively. Salvia officinalis has inhibitory effect against Candida albicans and might be effective in vaginitis due to this microorganism.