Study of the Antifungal Activity of Shikonin and Alcoholic – Oily Extracts of Iranian Arnebia euchroma L

Introduction: Today regarding drug resistance of fungi and bacteria, many researches have focused on herbal-based medication. As these herbal-based medications can show better adaptivity, the minimum advantage of them compared to synthetic drugs is that they are harmless. This article aimed to study the antifungal effect of alcoholic extract and essence of Arnebia euchroma L (Abukhalsa) roots on saprophytic and dermatophytic fungi. Methods: In this research, the roots were collected from Zagros heights in spring. Then they were dried and 300 mL ethanol was added to each 100 g dried powder. The alcoholic extraction was performed by maceration and the extract was concentrated by distillation in vacuum. The clevenger apparatus was used to extract the essence; then it was extracted by boiling water at vacuum for 4–6 hours. Shikonin was provided in commercial form. The antifungal activities of alcoholic extract, essence and Shikonin were studied and recorded using cylinder test based on the diameter of inhibition zone in Sabouraud-Dextrose agar. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were measured by broths macrodilution tests. Results: The results from cylinder, MIC and MFC tests showed that 30% of shikonin was more effective than root on fungi. Our data demonstrated that alcoholic extract was better than oily extract. Conclusion: The alcoholic extract had better characteristics than the essence. To confirm the final findings, further researches are required.