Honey and propolis have antifungal property against select dermatophytes and Candida albicans

Abstract

Objective. To determine the antifungal properties of honey from two different floral sources (sunflower and coconut) and Philippine propolis against selected dermatophytes and Candida albicans. Methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of honey and propolis against Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum and Candida albicans was determined using the broth macrodilution method (NCCLS M38-P). Disk diffusion method was used to determine the zones of inhibition. Clotrimazole served as comparator drug. Results. Sunflower and coconut honey inhibited all test fungi, with coconut honey yielding lower MICs. However, propolis performed better than both sunflower and coconut honey. T. mentagrophytes was most sensitive to the test agents. Zones of inhibition were not produced by sunflower honey for Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum; by coconut honey for Microsporum gypseum, and by propolis for Epidermophyton floccosum. No zone of inhibition was exhibited by honey and propolis for Candida albicans. Conclusion. Honey and aqueous propolis extract exhibit antifungal properties against Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum and Candida albicans. Although honey and propolis have inhibitory activities against these organisms, clotrimazole is still relatively superior based on the zone of inhibition produced by the test drugs.