Zataria multiflora Boiss.: A review study on chemical composition, anti-fungal and anti-mycotoxin activities, and ultrastructural changes

Introduction: Zataria multiflora is a valuable medicinal plant from Lamiaceae family with various pharmacological and therapeutic properties. In this article we reviewed the various aspects of Z. multiflora properties including botanical characteristics, chemical composition, anti-fungal and anti-mycotoxin activity and fungal ultrastructural changes.Methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, Directory of open access journals (DOAJ), EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched using the keywords Z. multiflora and pathogenic and toxigenic fungi.Results: The essential oil (EO) of Z. multiflora is frequently used in pharmaceutical industries. Thymol and carvacrol are the most important active components of Z. multiflora that are used for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases such as candidiasis and dermatophytosis. Aflatoxin production inhibitory effect of Z. multiflora EO was at the transcription level and this herb may cause reduction in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Ultrastructural changes showed that the main sites of action of EO were the plasma membrane and cell wall of fungi.Conclusion: Zataria multiflora has the potential to be considered as a new natural drug for the treatment of some fungal infections. Morphological and structural changes may be one of the mechanisms involved in growth inhibition of the fungi and reducing aflatoxin production by Z. multiflora EO

Fungicidal versus Fungistatic activity of five Iranian essences against fluconazole resistant Candida species

Introduction: Antifungal resistant is one of the causes of high mortality rates during invasive candidiasis. Since development of new antifungal agents is limited, researchers have focused on natural products including essential oils (EOs) with antifungal properties. In immunocompromised patients fungicidal activity is of benefit. This study was designed to evaluate chemical composition and fungicidal/fungistatic activities of five Iranian EOs and against fluconazole resistant Candida species. Methods: To determine chemical composition of EOs gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was employed. Fluconazole resistant Candida species were chosen and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of studied EOs were determined by broth microdilution method. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined as the lowest concentration with no fungal growth on solid media. Fungicidal activity was calculated by MFC/MIC ratio. Results: The results showed that C. albicans and C. tropialis isolates were susceptible to itraconazole (ITC) and voriconazole (VRC) while one species of C. glabrata and C. krusei each was resistant to itraconzaole; and itraconazole resistant C. glabrata isolate was resistance to voriconzaole as well. Among tested EOs, the ones from Cinnamomum cayennense, Origanum majorana var. majoranoides and Andropogon citratus had the highest anti-Candida activity. Artemisia aromatica A. Nelson had the highest MIC value against Candida isolates. All EOs in this study had fungicidal activity. Conclusion: In general, the tested natural compounds are suitable to be used as anti-Candida. However more studies are needed on each chemical compound to evaluate its antifungal activity alone or in combination with other agents

Ganoderic Acid and Exopolysaccharide Production by Ganoderma Lucidum from Semi-Solid-State and Submerged Fermentation

Introduction: Production of Ganoderic acid (GA) and Exopolysaccharide (EPS) with using beneficial fermentation strategy has received great attention recently. The aim of present study is comparison of GA and EPS production by G. lucidium in submerge, Semi-Solid and Solid-State fermentation. Materials and methods: Potato dextrose Agar (PDA) for cultivation of G. lucidum was used. A modified medium formulation for Semi-Solid-State fermentation was also used with both submerged and Solid-State cultivation advantages. The optimized media components and main effects, such as carbone source, inducers, and aeration were studied with using Taguchi orthogonal array design. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) was used to detect GA in mycelium and fruiting body of G. lucidum and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to detect EPSs in submerged fermentation. Results: Findings showed that the increase of GA in Semi-Solid-State fermentation (256 µg/g) with a combination of wheat bran 9g/L, oak chips 13g/L but without aeration. Findings showed that EPS production in submerged fermentation was more noticeable than Semi-Solid-State and Solid-State fermentation. In submerged fermentation with a combination of malt 20%, glucose 4%, sucrose 2% and with aeration 98.3±3.78mg/g EPS were observed. FTIR band in 890 Cm-1 indicated the presence of polysaccharides. Discussion and conclusion: Among the three sets of formulations, results showed that Semi-Solid-State fermentation is the most appropriate culture for GA production and submerged fermentation is the most appropriate culture for EPS production. Finally, we suggest Semi-Solid-State fermentation for both GA and EPS production using wholly submerged glucose and oak chips enriched solid particle

In vitro antifungal activity of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Allium jesdianum against fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant human vaginal Candida glabrata isolates

Introduction: About 50 of women are diagnosed with an episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) during first 25 years of their lives. Candida glabrata is considered the second most prevalent non-C. albicans species associated with VVC. In this study, we examined the antifungal effect of a medicinal plant, Allium jesdianum, as a natural therapeutic agent against fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant human vaginal C. glabrata isolates, collected from two groups of volunteers; healthy women and women with VVC.Methods: An aqueous-ethanolic extract of A. jesdianum was prepared by maceration method. Vaginal specimens were collected from 28 women diagnosed with VVC and eight healthy subjects. The specimens were cultured using fungal-specific media in optimum conditions. The antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates of C. glabrata to the plant extract and fluconazole was evaluated according to the standard protocols.Results: Candida glabrata was found to be the major cause of vaginal infection among 15.2 of women with VVC. We could identify the Candida spp. yeasts that colonized the vagina of 35 of healthy women while 19 of the isolated yeasts strains were detected as C. glabrata. Moreover, 7.1 of isolates obtained from VVC-patients were fluconazole resistant. The results showed the antifungal effect of A. jesdianum against all fluconazole resistant and susceptible C. glabrata vaginal isolates. The MIC90 of aqueous-ethanol (A-EtOH) extract of A. jesdianum against C. glabrata isolates from both VVC-patients and healthy women was 3 mg/mL.Conclusion: Our results showed the promising antifungal efficacy of aqueous-ethanolic extract of A. jesdianum. A. jesdianum extract might be used as an alternative choice to treat the VVC infections caused by fluconazole resistant Candida spp

Fungicidal effect of Origanum vulgare essential oil against Candida glabrata and its cytotoxicity against macrophages

Introduction: Candida glabrata is a yeast fungus regularly isolated from patients with impaired immunity who receive a routine antifungal therapy. Drug-resistant strains of C. glabrata have been emerged in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy Origanum vulgare essential oil (OVEO) against drug-resistant strains of C. glabrata and its cytotoxic effect on macrophages.Methods: Specimens were collected from mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity of medically approved oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in HIV-positive patients and volunteered healthy individuals using sterile swabs or mouthwashes. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was done using microdilution and disc diffusion methods. Chemical composition of OVEO was determined using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic effect of essential oil on macrophages was examined using tetrazolium dye (MTT).Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of OVEO in healthy individuals and OPC patients was 150-200 and 150-250 &mu;g/mL, respectively. OVEO efficiently inhibited growth of resistant isolates. In isolates obtained from HIV patients, both MIC50 and MIC90 of OVEO were 200 &mu;g/mL while in healthy individuals were 150 and 200 &mu;g/mL, respectively. Moreover, OVEO induced significant reduction in proliferation of murine RAW264.7 and peritoneal macrophages in concentrations higher than 100 and 300 &mu;g/mL, respectively. Main constituents of OVEO were thymol (27.3), &gamma;-terpinene (20.7) and carvacrol (16.1).Conclusion: OVEO could be used as a fungicidal agent against fungal infections caused by azole-resistant C. glabrata. A combination therapy along with standard antifungals is suggested to avoid its cytotoxic effects.</p

Zataria multiflora Boiss.: A review study on chemical composition, anti-fungal and anti-mycotoxin activities, and ultrastructural changes

Introduction: Zataria multiflora is a valuable medicinal plant from Lamiaceae family with various pharmacological and therapeutic properties. In this article we reviewed the various aspects of Z. multiflora properties including botanical characteristics, chemical composition, anti-fungal and anti-mycotoxin activity and fungal ultrastructural changes. Methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, Directory of open access journals (DOAJ), EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched using the keywords Z. multiflora and pathogenic and toxigenic fungi. Results: The essential oil (EO) of Z. multiflora is frequently used in pharmaceutical industries. Thymol and carvacrol are the most important active components of Z. multiflora that are used for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases such as candidiasis and dermatophytosis. Aflatoxin production inhibitory effect of Z. multiflora EO was at the transcription level and this herb may cause reduction in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Ultrastructural changes showed that the main sites of action of EO were the plasma membrane and cell wall of fungi. Conclusion: Zataria multiflora has the potential to be considered as a new natural drug for the treatment of some fungal infections. Morphological and structural changes may be one of the mechanisms involved in growth inhibition of the fungi and reducing aflatoxin production by Z. multiflora EO

Antifungal activity of essential oils from Iranian plants against fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-susceptible Candida albicans

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assay the antifungal activity of selected essential oils obtained from plants against both fluconazole (FLU)-resistant and FLU-susceptible C. albicans strains isolated from HIV positive patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). Materials and Methods: The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation method from Myrtus communis (My. communis), Zingiber officinale roscoe (Z. officinale roscoe), Matricaria chamomilla (Ma. chamomilla), Trachyspermum ammi (T. ammi) and Origanum vulgare (O. vulgare). The susceptibility test was based on the M27-A2 methodology. The chemical compositions of the essential oils were obtained by gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Results: In GC-MS analysis, thymol (63.40%), linalool (42%), α-pinene (27.87%), α-pinene (22.10%), and zingiberene (31.79%) were found to be the major components of T. ammi, O. vulgare, My. communis, Ma. chamomilla and Z. officinale roscoe, respectively. The results showed that essential oils have different levels of antifungal activity. O. vulgare and T. ammi essential oils were found to be the most efficient (

Fungicidal versus Fungistatic activity of five Iranian essences against fluconazole resistant Candida species

Introduction: Antifungal resistant is one of the causes of high mortality rates during invasive candidiasis. Since development of new antifungal agents is limited, researchers have focused on natural products including essential oils (EOs) with antifungal properties. In immunocompromised patients fungicidal activity is of benefit. This study was designed to evaluate chemical composition and fungicidal/fungistatic activities of five Iranian EOs and against fluconazole resistant Candida species. Methods: To determine chemical composition of EOs gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was employed. Fluconazole resistant Candida species were chosen and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of studied EOs were determined by broth microdilution method. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined as the lowest concentration with no fungal growth on solid media. Fungicidal activity was calculated by MFC/MIC ratio. Results: The results showed that C. albicans and C. tropialis isolates were susceptible to itraconazole (ITC) and voriconazole (VRC) while one species of C. glabrata and C. krusei each was resistant to itraconzaole; and itraconazole resistant C. glabrata isolate was resistance to voriconzaole as well. Among tested EOs, the ones from Cinnamomum cayennense, Origanum majorana var. majoranoides and Andropogon citratus had the highest anti-Candida activity. Artemisia aromatica A. Nelson had the highest MIC value against Candida isolates. All EOs in this study had fungicidal activity. Conclusion: In general, the tested natural compounds are suitable to be used as anti-Candida. However more studies are needed on each chemical compound to evaluate its antifungal activity alone or in combination with other agents

In-vitro Assessment of Antifungal and Antioxidant Activities of Olive Leaves and Fruits at Various Extraction Conditions

Abstract   Background and Objective: Nowadays, there is a growing interest for use of plant-based products such as extracts in various industrial sectors. Therefore, optimization of conditions for ideal extraction of bioactive compounds is highly important. Olive leaves and fruits include biophenols, which can be used as natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Therefore, extraction of these bioactive compounds can create value-added products, which can be used as natural preservatives in food industries. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of various extraction parameters (type of solvent, solvent volume, temperature, time and pH) on in-vitro antioxidant and antifungal activities of Iranian olive leaf and fruit extracts against five Candida species. Material and Methods: Olive fruit and leaf extracts were achieved using maceration method at various extraction conditions. Antioxidant activity of the prepared extracts was assessed by cupric reducing antioxidant capacity method. The phenolic profile in olive leaf extract was assessed using high performance liquid chromatography. Antifungal activity of the olive leaf extract was assessed using disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration values. Results and Conclusion: Results showed that the highest antioxidant activity was recorded in olive leaf extract prepared by 100 ml of 96% ethanol at pH 7 and 80 °C for 6 h. Moreover, HPLC analysis of the ethanolic olive leaf extract showed that oleuropein was the major compound of the extract. Antioxidant activity of the olive leaf extract was higher than that of the fruit extract in various conditions. Regarding antifungal activity, the olive leaf extract showed a higher activity, compared to olive fruit extract at all concentrations. In olive leaf extract, the highest (62.5 µg ml-1) and the lowest minimum fungicidal concentration (15.6 µg.ml-1) values were reported for Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans, respectively. The minimum fungicidal concentration of the olive leaf extract was 250 µg ml-1 for Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida krusei and 500 µg ml-1 for Candida tropicalis. It can be concluded that olive leaf extract is a source of antioxidant and antifungal substances with potential uses in food industries. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Descriptive epidemiology of dermatophytosis in rodents

Abstract Introduction Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes. Objectives Since the epidemiology of diseases revolves over time, this research studies the incidence of dermatophytosis among rodents referred to mycology laboratory during 2019–2021. Methods A total of 163 rodents including rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters suspecting having dermatophytosis were sampled by scraping lesions. Direct microscopic examination, culture, and polymerase chain reaction were done for diagnosis of dermatophytosis and identification of the etiologic agent. Results The results of this study showed that 37.4% of rodents were involved with dermatophytosis, among which 41.13% of rabbits, 25% of guinea pigs, and 26.3% of hamsters were included. Microsporum canis (52.7%) was the most isolated agent. Incidence of dermatophytosis was higher in female in rabbits while in hamsters and guinea pigs male were mostly infected. Rodents less than 6 months were more susceptible for dermatophytosis except for hamsters in which 6–12 months animals had a higher prevalence. Conclusion In conclusion, it is significant to update our knowledge about the epidemiology of dermatophytosis in rodents and other animals every few years to define valid preventive strategies. Moreover, since dermatophytes are contagious and zoonotic, it is also a priority to apply preventing methods for dermatophytosis and treat infected rodents with appropriate antifungal agents to decrease the risk of infection