Screening of Pogostemon parviflorus Benth. for anti-Candida activity

Pogostemon parviflorus, an aromatic woody herbaceous plant, is found in high rainfall localities. The medicinal properties of this plant show that leaves are used for anxiety, cellulite, depression, eczema and wounds. Also, they are used for thrush, mycotic enteritis and vaginitis. The aim of the present study is to assay the anti-Candida activity of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Pogostemon parviflorus leaf against opportunistic mycosis causing phatogenic fungi, such as Candida albicans (5), Candida glabrata (2),Candida tropicalis (2) and Candida dubliensis (1), by agar well diffusion method. Antifungal activity of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Pogostemon parviflorus leaf was characterized by ranges of inhibition zones from 8 to 15 mm and 8 to 20 mm, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by ranges of 2.5 to 20 mg ml−1 and 2.5 to 10 mg ml−1, respectively. The ethanolic extract of tested plant has more anti-Candida effect at 5.7 mg ml−1 when compared to the methanolic extract at 6.6 mg ml−1. The results provePogostemon parviflorus leaf as a potent source of natural anti-Candida compounds.   Key words: Anti-Candida activity, Pogostemon parviflorus.