CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS FROM SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS OF IRAN

Infectious diseases are the second leading cause of death worldwide. The use and search for drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activities of the essential oils derived from some species of medicinal plants:Stachys pubescens, Coriandrum sativum, Cinnamomum zelanicum and Bupleurum falcatum against Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus and Alternaria alternate. The essential oils were used to evaluate their MIC and MFC compared to the Amphotericin B as a reference antibiotic. Also the essential oils were analyzed by GC/MS. Results from the antifungal testing indicated that B. falcatum, S. pubescens and C. zelanicum essential oils showed high activities and inhibited the growth all of the selected fungi. While the essential oil of C. sativum displayed the moderate potential activity. The number of 6, 9, 15 and 22 components was identified in C. sativum, C. zelanicum, B. falcatum and S. pubescens respectively. These oils exhibited a valued potency, against the fungi. With consider of the result and a point of view from an inexpensive and fewer side effects source of natural antimicrobial substances, they have potential benefits of using in pathogenic systems.