The Effect of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Teucrium polium on Candida Albicans and Two Species of Malassezia

Background: Teucrium polium L. is a medicinal plant, which due to its antimicrobial,
antispasmodic and anti-tumor properties has been used in traditional medicine for over
2000 years. The aim of this research was to study the effect of aqueous and ethanolic
extracts of Teucrium polium L. against three strains of Candida albicans (ATCC 62061,
ATCC 1677, and NCPF 3153), Malassezia furfur and Malassezia globosa using pour plate
method.
Materials and Methods: Teucrium polium L. was collected from Broojen area during the
spring. The plant was dried and powdered. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts were
prepared from the fine powder. Different concentrations of extracts (1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/ml)
were made in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and modified Leeming-Notman Agar
(MLNA) medium for Candida albicans, Malassezia furfur and Malassezia globosa.
1.5×106 cfu/ml of yeasts, were cultured on media and incubated at 37ºC and 32ºC
respectively. Pour plate method was used to assess the antifungal activity of these extracts.
Results: The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of Teucrium polium L. on the three
strains of Candida albicans was depended on concentration level of extracts in media.
Aqueous extract had inhibitory effect on Candida albicans (NCPF 3153) only, and with
increasing of the extract concentration, the number of colonies was decreased, so that in
concentration of 8 mg/ml, no growth was seen. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts had no
inhibitory effect on Malassezia species.
Conclusion: Teucrium polium L. extracts have considerable inhibitory effect on different
strains of Candida albicans. Further investigations are needed to detect the effectiveness
of this plant in treatment of Candida infections.