Investigate the Antifungal Effect of Three Type of Honey on Candida Albicans, An In Vitro Study

Candida albicans is the main fungus in human mucous membranes that causes superficial and life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals as an opportunistic pathogen. Honey has been used to treat many systemic diseases such as asthma, gastrointestinal diseases and skin diseases such as wounds, injuries and eczema. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the antifungal effect of honey on Candida albicans.

In this experimental and in-vitro study, 47 plates containing Candida albicans were examined. Samples of natural honey were prepared from Khoy, Salmanshahr from local beekeepers and commercial samples from Mahram company. Volume percentages of 20,40,60,80,95 were prepared from all honey samples. Cup-plate technique and Agar diffusion method and Sabourod dextrose agar (SDA) culture medium were used to investigate the growth inhibition and diameter of growth inhibition zone. The obtained results (diameter of growth inhibition zone) were analyzed after three cultures by SPSS 24 and one-way ANOVA statistical method. Tukey test was also used for pairwise comparison, P<0/05 was considered significant .

All types of honey in maximum concentrations (95%) inhibited the growth of Candida and only Salmanshahr honey  in a concentration of 80% inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. There was a significant difference in inhibited of Candida albicans between groups with P = 0.03. Comparing Salmanshahr honey with Mahram honey with P = 0.022, a significant difference was obtained and Salmanshahr honey significantly inhibited Candida. There was no significant difference between Khoy honey and Mehram honey with P = 0.27.

The findings of this study showed that honey in high concentrations can have an inhibitory effect on the growth of Candida albicans and can be used as a safe antifungal treatment in patients.