The effects of (ethanolic, methanolic, and aqueous) extracts of <i>Cinnamomum zeylanicum</i> and <i>Thymus vulgaris</i> with clotrimazol ointment in preventing the growth of <i>Candidad albicans</i> fungus

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Considering the increasing demand for applying medicinal plants in the medical treatment, this study aimed to investigatethe effect of cinnamon and thyme extracts alone and in comparison with clotrimazole ointment on the Candida albicans yeast in laboratory condition.

Materials and Methods: In this study the cinnamon bark available in market was used for providing cinnamon products. The thymus vulgaris was prepared from the medicinal plants farm of Semnan Agricultural Jahad Training Centre.Ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of cinnamon and thyme powders prepared by maceration method.Then paper discs which coated with herbal products placed in candida albicans medium and their zone diameters of growth inhibition compared with that of clotrimazole ointment.

Findings: The results of observations showed that the following items have the highestinhibition zone respectively: 1).The cinnamon methanolic extract 19.5 mm 2) the cinnamon extract3) Thyme extract 4) Cinnamon ethanolic extract 5) Thyme ethanolic extract.

Conclusion: The results clearly showed thatboth cinnamon and thyme extracts have a significant effect in limiting fungal growth.

Keywords: Extract; distilled extract; cinnamon; thyme; clotrimazole; candida albicans