Antifungal Activity of Achillea santolina L. and Calendula officinalis L. Essential Oils and Their Constituents Against Fungal Infection of Liver as Complication of Cyclophosphamide Therapy

The use of essential oils and phytoconstituents has been accentuated as a novel therapeutic line. Our study aimed to assess the antifungal potential of essential oils of Achillea santolina and Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae) and their combinations on fungal infection of liver accompanied cyclophosphamide (CP) therapy. Hydro distillation of the aerial parts of A. santolina yielded 0.45 % oil while the flowers of C. officinalis yielded 0.14 % oil. The constituents of essential oil of each plant were investigated by GC-MS. All treated groups isolated Candida albicans 25 %, C. tropicalis 12 % and C. parapsilosis 8.9 % as the most dominant yeasts and A. flavus 22.4 % and A. fumigatus 12.6 % as the most prominent fungal species. The oil mixture (1:1) showed best antifungal activities. The composition of mixture (1:1) was also investigated using GC-MS. The aflatoxin production by A. flavus decreased significantly in a dose dependent manner. Oil mixture (1:1) exhibited antioxidant activity and recorded radical scavenging activity. The study assumes in line with the fact that essential oils are could be used in treatment of hepatic fungal infection induced by CP.