Investigation of the antifungal effects of curcumin against nystatin-resistant Candida albicans

BACKGROUND: Emergence of nystatin-resistant Candida albicans (C. albicans) strains has raised some concerns in the recent years. Recent scientific evidence proves that turmeric, especially curcumin, has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal activity. The aim of this study was the investigation of the antifungal effects of curcumin against nystatin-resistant C. albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro, experimental study evaluated standard-strain (ATCC 16201) and 10 nystatin-resistant C. albicans strains. The antifungal activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of curcumin were evaluated using the CLSI-M27-A3, and the MIC of curcumin was compared with that of nystatin. The results were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The MIC of curcumin was 15.6, 32.25, 15.6, 7.8, 32.25, 15.6, 15.6, 15.6, 32.25, and 15.6 μg/mL for the 10 resistant strains and 62.5 μg/mL for the standard strain of C. albicans. Curcumin in the above-mentioned concentrations significantly inhibited the proliferation of nystatin-resistant C. albicans strains (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: According to this research, it was shown that curcumin with MIC value of 7.8–32.25 μg/mL has inhibitory effects on nystatin-resistant C. albicans strains.