Received: 1 Feb, 2010 Accepted: 6 April, 2010

  Abstract

  Background & Aims: Propolis (bee glue) is a resinous secretory product obtained from honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) collected from West Azarbaijan apiaries against dermatophytes and non dermatophitic fungi.

  Material & Methods: In this study antifungal activity of propolis on Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum nanum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Candida albicans, Aspergillus nijer, and saccaromyces serevisiae were compared with that of nystatin as standard antifungal drug. Two susceptibility testing techniques (Micro-broth dilution method and Agar-well diffusion method) were used to evaluate antifungal activity of EEP against these micro-organisms. Moreover, the chemical composition of propolis was determined by the method of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

  Results: The ethanol extract of propolis has an inhibitory effect on all tested fungi and the MIC of propolis was 62.5-500 µg/ml and 62.5-125 µg/ml for dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes, respectively. Twenty-six compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The Chemical composition of EEP included considerable amount of flavonoids.

  Conclusion: According to the results obtained from the present work, it was concluded that EEP has a suitable application in pharmacy, cosmetics, health and food industry. These antifungal properties would warrant further studies on the clinical applications of propolis.

  Address: Department of Pathobiology & Quality Control, Artemia & Aquatic Animal Research Institute, Urmia University, Urmia Iran Tel: (+98 441) 3440295

  Email: atokmachi@gmail.com

  Source: Urmia Med J 2010: 21(3): 206 ISSN: 1027-3727