Promising Natural Alternatives Against Resistant Fungal Pathogens: Antifungal Activity of Twenty Medicinal Plant’s Hydroalcoholic Extracts

Ahmadi-Bootegaz, Seyfollah; Dolatabadi, Somayeh; Kohan-Baghkheirati, Eisa

doi:10.22087/hmj.2026.569295.1036

Promising Natural Alternatives Against Resistant Fungal Pathogens: Antifungal Activity of Twenty Medicinal Plant’s Hydroalcoholic Extracts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyfollah Ahmadi-Bootegaz ¹

Somayeh Dolatabadi ¹

Eisa Kohan-Baghkheirati ²

¹ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

² Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran Systems Phytopharmacology Research Group, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

10.22087/hmj.2026.569295.1036

Abstract

Fungal pathogens are responsible for infectious diseases that increase mortality rates and the costs associated with treatment and care. On the other hand, the overuse of antifungal drugs has led to numerous side effects, presenting a significant challenge in medicine and treatment. Consequently, the development of alternative drugs with lower manufacturing costs, reduced toxicity, and fewer side effects has become essential. Medicinal plants have been utilized for centuries in the treatment of various diseases, and significant antifungal properties have been reported from these sources. In the present study, 20 effective antimicrobial plants were identified and their hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained. Their antifungal effect on Rhizopus arrhizus, Aspergillus flavusspp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans were assessed. The results indicated that Glycyrrhiza glabra can inhibit the growth of all four pathogens followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Althaea officinalis which were effective for three fungal species. The results of this study could be used by the pharmaceutical industry to produce natural antifungals with less side effects, cytotoxicity, and production costs. Moreover, fungal pathogens have not yet developed resistance to these natural drugs while they have shown resistance against conventional antifungals.

Keywords

Mycoses

Medicinal plants

Natural antifungal

Fungal pathogens

Phytomedicine