Pimenov: A potent antifungal medicinal plant.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

species are well-known antifungal medicinal plants. (Apiaceae family) is a rarely investigated plant endemic to Iran. The present study aimed to assess the antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of root extracts of different plants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methanolic crude extract (MeOH) and its sub-fractions, including petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH) were prepared.

RESULTS

Results from the antifungal and antibacterial activities of fractions indicated remarkable antifungal effects against with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of 10 µg/mL; however, no cytotoxicity was observed in the case of selected cancer cells. Moreover, methanolic soluble fractions showed good antiradical effects evaluated DPPH and -carotene bleaching tests possessing half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of 20.11 and 41.32 µg/mL, respectively, though it was less effective than positive controls ascorbic acid (8.47 and 31.71 µg/mL, respectively) and butylated hydroxytoluene (IC: 10.29 and 33.55 µg/mL, respectively).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that strong antifungal and antioxidant activities without notable cytotoxicity, suggest the potential safety of the plant to be used as a natural antifungal remedy as well as a preservative in the food industry.