Comparative evaluation of the antifungal activity of Borage (Borago officinalis) and Camellia sinesis (Green tea) leaves against various Aspergillus and Candida strains

Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate and compare the antifungal activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Borage officinalis and Camellia sinesis (Green tea) against different Candida and Aspergillus strains. Antifungal effects of extracts were determined by disc diffusion and broth macrodilution methods. The<br><br>Borago officinalis extract showed the highest antifungal activity against A. niger and the lowest effect against C. kreusei, C. dubliniensis, A. fumigatus and A. flavus. The Green tea extract revealed high antifungal activity against C. guilliermondii and C. dubliniensis and less effect against C. parapsilosis and A. fumigatus. The MIC values for Borago officinalis and Green tea extracts were ranged from 1.56 to 25 mg/ml and 3.125 to 25 mg/ml, respectively. This study suggests that Borago officinalis and Green tea are valuable plant sources of medicinally useful compounds that this may help to avoid the side effects of antifungals. The combined use of Green tea or Borago officinalis extracts and antifungals could be also useful in fighting emerging drug-resistant problem among fungal pathogens.