The Inhibitory Effect of the Ethanol and Methanol Extracts Of Leaf and Stem of the Rumex Alveolatus against the Candida Albicans and Rhizopus Oryzae

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: Candida albicans causes the infection in patients with organ transplantation, AIDS burning as an opportunistic yeast. Mucormycosis which is caused by Rhizopus oryzae, is an acute rapidly progressive and fatal infection in immunocompromised patients. The toxicity of antimicrobial drugs, resistance in fungi and drug interactions warrant the need for a more effective and less toxic drugs. Materials and Methods: In this study, the minimum inhibitory and lethal concentration of Rumex alveolatus against Pathogenic fungi Candida albicans (NCPF 3153) and Rhizopus oryzae (ATCC 52311) was evaluated. The effect of ethanol and methanol extracts of stem and leaves of Rumex alveolatus, which was prepared with soxhlet method on the Candida albicans (NCPF 3153) and Rhizopus oryzae (ATCC 52311) was investigated with using disk diffusion test, MIC (minimum inhibitory concentrations) and MFC (minimum fungicidal concentration), then results were compared with fluconazole. Results:The results showed the effect of ethanol and methanol extracts of the stems and leaves in concentrations 25, 50,100, 200 mg/ml with inhibitory zone diameter between 21.66 to 10.33 mm against Candida albicans but not against Rhizopus oryzae and the highest inhibitory concentration was 31.25 mg / ml. Conclusions: Due to the resistance Candida albicans strains to drugs such as fluconazole, this herbal extract is suitable alternative to synthetic drugs to treat candidiasis infections. The use of Rumex alveolatus plant as a antifungal agent is promising.