Comparison of the Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of Ballota aucheri Essential Oil and Fluconazole

Aims: Lamiaceae family are compromised the majority of species of the family have essence that was used for the nutritional, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of essential oil from aerial parts of Bollota aucheri with its antibacterial and antifungal activity of it compared with fluconazole. Materials Methods: This clinical laboratory research was conducted on the flowering aerial parts of B. aucheri that were collected during 2020-2021 from Zagros mountains in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Iran. The essential oil of this plant was tested for antibacterial and antifungal properties and compared with fluconazole.  The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) and the antifungal activity of the plant essential oil was compared with fluconazole. Findings: Generally, β-Caryophyllene was the main compound of B. aucheri essential oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oil of the fruit of B. aucheri and fluconazole were 0.078µl/ml and 1µl/ml for Candida albicans, 0.078µl/ml and 0.5µl/ml for C. glabrata, and 0.078µl/ml and 0.178µl/ml for C. parapsilosis, respectively. Conclusion: The essential oil of B. aucheri could be used as a bactericidal and fungal alternative to antibiotics against microorganisms. Antifungal activity of B. aucheri essential oil is stronger than fluconazole.