Mona Eslami - ۱. Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Specialized Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Ali Ezabadi - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Iran.
Mansour Bayat - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Specialized Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Behin Omidi - Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
Pejman Mortazavi - Department of Pathology, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Recently, fungal drug resistance has significantly increased especially in opportunistic fungus like Candida albicans. Accordingly, it is necessary to use more effective drugs with less toxicity and high influences. Among a large of investigations, ionic liquids showed biological influence and antimicrobial activities. The aim of this study was in vitro investigation of antifungal activity of pyridine –based ionic liquid on a standard strain of Candida albicans and evaluate its toxicity on host cells. A standard strain of Candida albicans was re- cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) containing chloramphenicol, incubated at ۳۷℃ for ۲۴ h. Antifungal effect of a novel ionic liquid ([Met-Hcl] [Pys] ), was evaluated using inhibitory zone diameter. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungal concentration (MFC) were performed using micro dilution method. In continue MTT test were done to evaluate the toxicity of the liquid on host cells. The ionic liquid showed a good effect to prevent of Candida albicans growth. Inhibitory zone diameter was between ۳۴±۱ mm. The MIC evaluation was ۷۰۸.۴ ppm. Also the results of MTT test showed the viability of host cells at the ۱۶ dilution. In conclusion, the results of this study manifested that the novel ionic liquid has a good antifungal activity against Candida albicans standard strain with low toxicity to human cells and probably can use as a good novel drug in treatment of candidiasis. Although the need for more studies is crystal clear.

candidiasis, Ionic liquid, Cytotoxicity, Antifungal, MTT