In Vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Salvia Leriifolia Leaf Hydroalcoholic Extract Compared to Nystatin and Fluconazole Against Candida albicans.

OBJECTIVES: With the rising incidence of fungal infections in recent years, Candida albicans has become the leading cause of oral fungal infections, ranging from superficial to systemic forms. The extensive use of antifungal medications has led to drug resistance and adverse effects, highlighting the growing need to explore medicinal plants. This study aimed to assess the antifungal activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia leriifolia leaves on laboratory strains of Candida albicans, comparing its effects with those of the standard antifungal drugs Nystatin and Fluconazole. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This experimental study used 20 confirmed Candida albicans isolates. Malt extract agar and RPMI-1640 media were prepared according to standard protocols, and Salvia leriifolia extract was obtained via maceration. Fungal suspensions and stock solutions were prepared at defined concentrations, and MICs were determined using the microdilution broth method per CLSI-M27-A3 guidelines. Data were analyzed with SPSS. RESULTS: Salvia leriifolia extract demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida albicans, with MIC values ranging from 500 to 1000 µg/mL and a geometric mean MIC of 901.3 µg/mL. In contrast, nystatin and fluconazole exhibited markedly lower MIC ranges (0.063-16 and 0.063-1 µg/mL, respectively) and geometric mean MICs of 0.297 and 0.308 µg/mL, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher MIC values for the extract compared with both antifungal agents (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.87), whereas no significant difference was observed between nystatin and fluconazole (p = 0.638). Despite its lower potency, the extract showed moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that while the hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia leriifolia is less potent than nystatin and fluconazole, it is still capable of partially inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans. These results underscore the potential role of medicinal plants in the treatment of fungal infections, especially in cases involving drug resistance or undesirable side effects from conventional medications.