Efficacy of Some Medicinal Plants Extracts for Potential Antifungal Activity

Abstract

Background: Peganum harmala, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Mentha spicata and Rosmarinus officinalis are often used in traditional medicine. Objectives: The current study aimed to screen the antifungal activity of ethanolic extracts of P. harmala, G. glabra, M. spicata and R. officinalis leaves collected from Sistan region, Iran against Fusarium oxysporum. Methods: Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of herbal extracts were determined. Results: Of the total herbal extracts, four showed fungistatic activities and two showed fungicidal activities. MIC values, ranged 6.25 - 50 ppm and MFC values, ranged 12.5 - 100 ppm. The ethanolic extract of G. glabra had the lowest MIC (6.25 ppm); while the ethanolic extract of R. officinalis had the highest MIC (50 ppm). Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the alcoholic extract of G. glabra showed the highest efficiency against F. oxysporum at the low value of 12.5 ppm. Conclusions: The results of the study showed the antifungal activity of medicinal plants against F. oxysporum. Especially, the bioactive compounds of G. glabra were effective to inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum.