Comparison of Antifungal Effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss and Clove Essential Oils with Fluconazole and Nystatin against clinical isolates of Candida albicans

Today, Candida albicans' drug resistance to existing antifungal drugs, and in the other hands some side effects that related to the using of synthetic antifungal effects in the living organisms are the reasons that consumers prefer natural antifungal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss (avishan-e shirazi) and clove oils in comparison with fluconazole and nystatin against clinical isolates of C. albicans In vitro. Identification of clinical isolates of C. albicans were done by phenotypic and genotypic methods. To investigate the antifungal effect of each essential oils and drugs, the M27-A3 protocol recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) was used and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined. The MIC of clinical isolates for essential oils of Zataria multiflora Boiss and Clove were 0.003 and 0.47 μl / ml, respectively. The MIC was in the range of 2.37-9.5 IU / ml for nystatin and 3.12 - 12.5 μg / ml for fluconazole. Our finding showed that the essential oils of Zataria multiflora Boiss and Clove have more anti-fungal activity against clinical isolates of C. albicans than fluconazole and nystatin. According to the results of this study, essential oils of Zataria multiflora Boiss and Clove are recommended for controlling the vulvogenitis caused by C. albicans.