The Antifungal Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Nigella Sativa and Urtica Dioica on Fungal Agents in Comparison with Amphotericin B

The emergence of resistant fungal species, as well as relatively high side effects of antifungal drugs, have prompted researchers to develop new methods forcing action against fungi. The aim of present study was to evaluate the antifungal effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica on Candida species isolated from clinical specimens in comparison with amphotericin B.

In the current study, antifungal effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica, which were prepared by soaking and soxhlet methods, against 11 Candida isolates (Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis), were measured using broth microdilution method. Candida isolates were exposed to different concentrations of the extracts, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each extract was determined.

Both hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica showed antifungal effects against candida isolates. The MIC90 values of soaked and sox let hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa for Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were 25 and 12.5 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, MIC90 values of soaked and sox let hydroalcoholic extracts of Urtica dioica for the candida species in both methods were 12.5 mg/ml. In addition, MIC90 values of amphotericin B against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were obtained 1.0 and 0.5 μg/ml, respectively.

Although amphotericin B as an effective drug has a better antifungal effect against candida species, hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica also have acceptable antifungal effects on Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. Among them, Urtica dioica extract has a better effect than Nigella sativa extract.