R. Ghaderi, P. Malekinejad,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (7-2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: During the past three decades, life-threatening fungal infections have frequently been emerging through opportunistic infections with the advent of cancer chemotherapy, organ transplantation, and or AIDS. Most of systemic fungal infections are mainly caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Candida species. Although many researchers have carried out intensive studies attempting to develop new antifungal drugs some of which are now under clinical trials, amphotericin B and the azole compounds remain the mainstay of fungal systemic infection therapy. However, the adverse effects of polyenes and the emergence of Candida strains resistant to commercial azole compounds make the treatment of patients with deeply invasive mycoses difficult. Therefore, demand for the development of new antifungal agents which have low side effects and broad-spectrum activity against various fungi is greater than ever before. The present study aimed at evaluating the anticandidial effects of Berberis vulgaris Root extracts (ethanolic and aqueous) and comparing their effects with those of clotrimazole.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Berberis each having 1 mg/mL concentration were prepared. Candida albicans (100000 CFU/mL) was cultured on dextrose agar medium .Then, after incubation period of 48 hours, anticandidal strength of the extracts and clotrimazole was measured through zone of inhibition. Zone of inhibition for 1-10 mm was 1+, for 10-20 mm 2+, for 20 –30 mm 3+ and for 30-40 mm 4+. The obtained data was analysed by using SPSS software package, ANOVA and Tukey B tests.
Resutls: Average zone of inhibition for aqueous extract of Berberis was 16.89 mm, for ethanolic extract of Berberis it was 27.69 mm, for pure ethanol 0 mm, and for clotrimazole 33.63 mm. Besides, these differences were statistically significant (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to our findings, Berberis vulgaris root extracts have anticandidal effects, and these effects are more prominent for ethanolic extract. Because ethanol, by itself, doesn't have any anticandidal effects (zone of inhibition=0), we can conclude that all of the anticandidial effects of ethanolic extract of Berberis are due to Berberis vulgaris root extract.
Z. Azarkar, Sh. Golboeei Mousavi, M. Zardast,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (10-2008)
Abstract
Mucormycosis is the most fatal systemic fungal disease which is precipitated by diabetes or immunodeficiency state. The most common form of the disease is the rhinocerebral involvement. The disease has a high rate of mortality if not diagnosed in time and treated properly. This article presents Mucormycosis in a diabetic. The case was a 26 year old young male with diabetes mellitus being treated with insulin who was presented with fever, facial and right eye swelling, general bad condition, having a 3 year history of heroin (crystal) addiction, and referred with initial diagnosis of cellulites. On examination, it was found that the case had right eye proptosis and ecchymossis, unilateral bloody discharge of nose and dispnea. Moreover, black necrotic lesion was found in nasal mucosa. Biopsy of necrotic tissue was done and staining with PAS was performed, which proved the existence of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. The patient was taken to ICU and was Administered broad spectrum antibiotic treatment and 1mg/kg amphotericin B. But the next day, in spite of the treatment, the patient got dementia and deceased three days later.
E. Shaban, Mr. Miri, E. Rezaee Askareie, H. Mohammadzadeh,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Pityriasis versicolor is a common chronic recurrent fungal infection of skin, that several environmental factors are implicated in its creation. The present study was aimed to determine the relative frequency of pityriasis versicolor and its risk factors in girl's high schools of Birjand city in 2009.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1970 female students were selected with multi-stage cluster sampling method. A self-made questionnaire based on the objectives of the study was completed for all subjects. Diagnosis was made by physical examination and confirmed by laboratory methods. Data were analyzed by means of SPSS (version 11.5) at the significant leve l of P<0.05.
Results: The relative frequency of pityriasis versicolor in girl's high schools of Birjand city was 2.7%. The highest infection rate was in the 16-18 year group (86%). The most affected area of the body was neck (43.4%) and the lowest involvement (1.9%) was in arms. Among the studied risk factors, family history (P=0.002) and a history of previous infection (P<0.001) had a significant association with pityriasis versicolor but not with the age and the number of baths per week.
Conclusion: Regarding the frequency of pityriasis versicolor among female students of Birjand's high schools and the effect of some predisposing factors, referring to the dermatologist and training the families about this disease is recommended.
Naser Keikha, Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi, Gholam Hosein Shahidi Bonjar,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (12-2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Human cutaneous infections are caused by a homogeneous group of kreatinophilic fungi, called Dermatophytes. Such infections are accounted as a principle public health, at present. Microsporum gypseum a cause of baldness in Iran. Cases occur sporadically due to Microsporum gypseum in puppies and soil and is transmitted to humans. Since these pathogenic dermatophytes are eukaryotae, their chemical treatment with antifungal drugs may also affect host tissue cells. Thus, the present study aimed at determining antifungal effects of terrigenous actinomycetes agents on these pathogens. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 100 terrigenous actinomycetes isolates derived from soil of Kerman city were studied in order to assess their antifungal effect on microsporum gypseum.The fungi were obtained from Persian Type Culture Collection (PTCC) in the Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST). Electron microscope studies and the physiological properties of these antagonists such as, lipase activity, amylase, protease, and chitinase active isolates were performed according to the relevant protocols. Results: The present study showed that actinomycete isolates containing Ks10, Kn10, and 115 had the most antagonistic in vitro effect on Microsporum gypseum. Electron Microscope images revealed various forms of spores, mycelia, and spore chain morphology. Conclusion: The findings of the present research show that terrigenous actinomycetes have an antifungal effect upon Microsporum gypseum. So, one hopes that-in future-rather than administering antifungal chemicals that have side-effects, dermatophytic infections can be cured by applying these actinomycetes.
Mohammad Salehi, Masoud Hashemi Karoi, Ayatollah Nasrollahi Omran, Masoud Mobini, Maryam Asghar Hedari,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (12-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Ferula gummosa Boiss. (Barije) is an Iranian indigenous plant that has medical and antifungal properties. The current study was done to determine the effect of aqueous an alcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss root on in vitro growth of fungi. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the plant was dried in the dark and aqueous, alcoholic extracts of its root powder were prepared using Soxhlet method. Then, the efficacy of 0.1 dilutions of different quantities of the extracts on strains of Candida albicans (PTCC 5027), Trichophyton rubrum (PTCC5143), and Aspergillus fumigatus (PTCC 5009) were evaluated employing Disk diffusion, Agar-well diffusion, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) methods. Results: No inhibited effect was observed in Disk diffusion and Agar-well diffusion methods. MIC and MFC values of all extracts for Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichophyton rubrum were more than 5×104mg/ml. The MIC values of ethanol and methanol extract for Candida albicans were 3.12×103 and 1.25×104mg/ml, respectively but the MFC values were 1.25×104 and 2.5×104mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Methanol and ethanol extracts proved to have antifungal activity against Candida albicans yeast in vitro while the fungi of Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichophyton rubrum had no sensitivity to these types of extracts.
Faezeh Mohammadi, Hossein Safasepehr, Sima Hashemipour, Monirsadat Mirzadeh,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (12-2021)
Abstract
Pathophysiological changes in the mouth of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) predispose to overgrowth of Candida albicans. Various virulence factors such as proteinase and phospholipase production are involved in the process of degradation of the host cell membrane. These enzymes are involved in binding Candida species, especially in the hyphae stage, to the target tissue. In this study, the proteinase and phospholipase activity of 51 C. albicans strains was evaluated. Overall, the rates of proteolytic and phospholipase activities in controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients were 90.2% and 72.5%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between proteinase and phospholipase activities in both groups of patients (P>0.05), while there was a significant difference between the activity of hydrolytic enzymes with Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) and dentures in the uncontrolled diabetic group (P<0.05). According to the importance of hydrolytic enzymes activity of C. albicans species in diabetic patients, oral health of diabetic patients to control and prevent disease progression in these patients is essential.
Majid Zare-Bidaki, Farahnaz Ghasemi, Elaheh Allahyari, Mostafa Ashrafipour, Pouria Mohammadparast Tabas, Fatemeh Nikoomanesh,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Pistacia atlantica is one of the medicinal plants native to Iran and known for its antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the aqueous extract of P. atlantica leaves on clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in vivo.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/ fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) of aqueous extract of pistachio leaf were determined on 60 isolates of E. coli and 60 isolates of C. albicans, according to CLSI protocol at concentrations of 0.125-100 mg/ml. The obtained results were analyzed using R software at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean minimum inhibitory concentrations of coriander extract for E. coli and C. albicans clinical isolates were obtained at 45.3±1.0 and 43.7±1.1 mg/ml, respectively. The comparison of the minimum concentration of growth inhibitor and lethality of clinical isolates with standard E. coli strain was not significantly different (P=0.65); nonetheless, the standard strains of C. albicans were significantly different from the clinical isolates of this fungus (P<0.001).
Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of the present study, the aqueous extract of P. atlantica leaves has inhibitory effects on the clinical isolates of E. coli and C. albicans. Therefore, it is possible to use the aqueous extract of this plant in isolation or in combination with other drugs to treat urinary tract and vaginal infections.
Safiyeh Golzar Yadegary, Fahimeh Ghasemi, Fatemeh Nikoomanesh,
Volume 31, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
The present study aimed to assess the antifungal effect and compare different concentrations of thymoquinone on standard Candida strains, including Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilopsis, and Candida tropicalis, and investigate the toxicity of thymoquinone on fibroblastic cell lines in laboratory conditions. The present in vitro study was designed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of thymoquinone in dilutions of 0.13-70 μg/ml on four yeast strains of Candida including Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Candida glabrata (ATCC2001), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 200956), and Candida parapsilosis (ATCC22019) by broth microdilution method. The MTT test was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of thymoquinone and fibroblast cell line. The results of MIC and MFC examinations of thymoquinone demonstrated that Candida albicans is more sensitive than other strains to thymoquinone (MIC: 2.18 µg/ml, MFC: 4.37 µg/ml) and cytotoxicity of thymoquinone on fibroblast cell line illustrated that the lowest toxicity was in 31.72 µg/ml and the highest toxicity was in 13.07 µg/ml. As a result, according to the MIC and MFC, these concentrations were non-toxic on the fibroblast cell line. As evidenced by the results of the present study, thymoquinone in specified concentrations had an inhibitory and fungicidal effect on Candida strains with the most negligible toxicity on the fibroblastic cell line.
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