The results obtained from this research have shown that chicory extract has antifungal features.

PMID: 

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2017 Nov 1 ;18(11):1014-1020. Epub 2017 Nov 1. PMID: 29109313

Abstract Title: 

Evaluation of the Antifungal Effect of Chicory Extracts on Candida Glabrata and Candida Krusei in a Laboratory Environment.

Abstract: 

AIM: This research has evaluated the extract's antifungal effects on Candida glabrata and Candida krusei in a laboratory environment.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this research, to evaluate the antifungal effect and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination of chicory extract, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) was used. Candida glabrata and C. krusei funguses were procured from the Tehran Pasteur Institute; they were grown in the relative growing environment according to the required conditions. Also for further assurance about the macrodilution method reality, the agar well diffusion method was used. Finally, the obtained results were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 software.RESULTS: The MIC for the chicory extract was 50μg/mL for C. krusei and 100 μg/mL for C. glabrata. On the contrary, in the evaluation of different concentrations of the chicory extract by the agar well diffusion method, C. krusei's lack of growth in similar concentrations was greater than that of C. glabrata. As a result, the findings related to both the methods of agar well diffusion and MIC prevention concentration maximization proved that C. krusei sensitivity to the chicory extract is more compared with the sensitivity of C. glabrata.CONCLUSION: Chicory extract has the benefits of low price, accessibility, and proper taste as compared with nystatin. It also has fewer side effects, and after a clinical test, it could be considered a proper candidate as an antifungal drug against infections caused by C. krusei and C. glabrata.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results obtained from this research have shown that chicory extract has antifungal features and is the best choice as an antifungal drug because of its low price, accessibility, and proper taste as compared with nystatin.

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