Iman Torabi - Medical Mycology & Parasitology Department, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Fariba Sharififar - Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi - Medical Mycology & Parasitology Department, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Introduction and Objectives: The importance of Candida albicans as a model system for studying pathogenic fungi has only multiplied. The phenomenon of multidrug resistance in C. albicans and the related pathogenic species has taken toll on the clinicians because the management of fungal diseases has become extremely difficult. In order to explore alternative drug targets and develop modern age drugs, thorough understanding of the pathogen’s biology has become vital. Myrtus communis L. (Family _ Myrtaceae) is traditionally used as an antiseptic, antifungal drug. Materials and Methods: Myrtus communis L. was collected from Kerman province in June 2018. Total extract of the plant leaves was prepared by sonication method and petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol were used for fractionation. The standard strain of candida albicans (ATCC 10231) was purchased and nystatin-resistant Candida albicans samples also collected from patients referred to educational hospitals in Kerman. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of myrtle oil was determined using the M27-A3 method. In addition, nystatin was applied as positive control. Results: From the five fractions of Myryus communis L, choloroform fraction had most effective antifungal against nystatine-susceptible and nystatine-resistant Candida albicans.MIC of chloroform fraction was 62.5. MIC of nystatin drug for the resistant and susceptible Candida albicans were 80,40 respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the active compounds of the plant belong to a specific group of metabolites,which according to the type of solvent, probably have non-polar nature.

C. albicans, Nystatin, Myrtus communis L.