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Background and Aim: Candida species are among the major causes of opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised individuals, cancer patients, and organ transplants patients. Resistance to the antifungal medications has been on the rise. On the other hand, there have been several reports about the antimicrobial effects of different species of Ephedra major extract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antifungal effects of Ephedra major against some Candida species. Materials and Methods: In this experimental-laboratory study, after collecting E. major in the spring of 2014 from the mountains located in the west of Kermanshah Province, plant extraction was performed with ethanol, methanol, petroleum ether, and chloroform solvents. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of E. major against Candida albicans (ATC1677), Candida tropicalis (CBS94), and Candida glabrata (CBS2175) were evaluated by macrodilution method. Then its chemical composition was determined by GC-MS. Results: Based on the results of this study, ethanolic, methanolic, petroleum ether, and chloroform extracts of Ephedra major had antifungal effects. Also, the most desirable rate of MIC and MFC were 15.6 and 31.25 mg/ml respectively for chloroform extract against Candida glabrata. The results of GC-MS also showed that phenolic compounds were the most abundant compounds in this plant. Conclusion: The results showed that the anti-candidal activity of ethanolic, methanolic, petroleum ether, and chloroform extracts of E. major was considerable.

Background and Objectives: In humans, during the recent years, several factors have increased the risk of fungal infections, like broad spectrum antibiotics, immune compromised patients, cytotoxic chemotherapy and transplantations. Among all fungal pathogens Candida species remain the most common cause of invasive fungal infections. The aim of the current study is extraction of lipopeptides from Bacillus atrophaeus HNSQJYH170 isolated from Isfahan, and the study of its antifungal effects against Candida species. Methods: After 72 h of incubation, a cell-free supernatant of Bacillus atrophaeus was collected by centrifugation and acidified by adding HCl. The precipitate obtained was collected by centrifugation and dissolved in the methanol solution (50 ). Then antifungal activity of lipopeptides was evaluated by well diffusion method against Candida species. Also inhibition effect of lipopeptide on germ tube production for Candida albicans was studied. Results: There was no Inhibition zone for Candida species by cyclic lipopeptides. Inhibition of germtube production in %95 of C.albicans cells was showed by Bacillus atrophaeus lipopeptides. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that, although lipopeptides extracted from Bacillus atrophaeus were not able to inhibit Candida spp but inhibition of germtube production in %95 of C.albicans cells was showed. The ability of lipopeptides in inhibition of germtube production in C.albicans was showed, that these compounds can prevent biofilm formation on catheters and other substrate. Therefore, these compounds are important in preventing the invasion C.albicans of mucosal. Keywords: Bacillus atrophaeus, cyclic lipopeptides, Candida

Background and Objectives: Candida species is one of the main fungal pathogens in immunodeficient, organ transplantation, and cancer patients. Resistance to antifungal therapy, is observed in candida species, such as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis. For this purpose, screening of the medicinal plants and investigation of their antifungal effect is necessary. This study was conducted with the aim of in vitro evaluation of inhibitory effect of Allium saralicum on candida species. Methods: In this descriptive-comparative study, Allium saralicum plant was collected from Shahoo mountain in Kermanshah, and extracted using soxhlet apparatus. Antifungal activity of methanol and petroleum ether extracts, were investigated against C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis. Well diffusion method was used as a screening method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), were determined. Results were analyzed by nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: In this research, the highest inhibition zone of Allium saralicum extracts against all species, was observed in concentration of 250mg/ml, and inhibition zone diameter decreased with decrease in concentration. MIC and MFC results showed that C. albicans is more sensitive to the petroleum ether extract, while C. tropicalis growth was significantly inhibited by the methanol extract. The results of both extracts was equal for C. glabrata. Conclusion: According to the results of this research, methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Allium saralicum have antifungal activity against Candida species. Therefore, this plant can be used as a natural antimicrobial source.

Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection worldwide. Due to increasing resistance of fungi against conventional drugs, as well as their side effects, alternative natural products have become a renewed interest. In the current study, the anti-Candida activities of Scrophularia striata extract were examined. In this experimental study, microdilution assay and well diffusion test were used to determine invitro anti-fungal effects of ethanolic and methanolic extract of Scrophulari astriata on four species of Candida including Candida albicans ATCC 1167, ATCC 1677, tropicalis, and glabrata. The results showed that 100 mg/ml methanolic extract has more anticandida activity than ethanolic extract. Diameter of inhibiting growth environment for ethanol extract was 37 mm, and MIC and MFC were 2.1 and 41.5 mm/ml. Results show that ethanolic and methanolic extract of Scrophularia striata have anti-fungal activities. Therefore results of this study suggest this extract is a promising anti-fungal agent, and future experiments will interest for performing in vivo study.