Aim:

Trichophyton is the most common genus that causes superficial fungal infections among dermatophytes. The insufficiency of antifungal agents in the treatment of these species has led to the investigation of different therapeutic agents. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the antifungal and synergistic effects of curcumin and propolis extracts on 100 Trichophyton species.

Materials and Methods:

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of propolis and curcumin on 100 Trichophyton isolates that included in the study were determined by the broth microdilution method specified in the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Microdilution checkerboard method was used in the investigation of the synergistic effect.

Results:

100 Trichophyton isolate, that one (1%) isolated from the hair, 91 (91%) from the skin, and eight (8%) from the nail, were identified as 76 (76%) Trichophyton rubrum and 24 (24%) Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Curcumin MIC values between 5-160 μg/ml and propolis MIC values between 0.625-80 μg/ml were determined against Trichophyton isolates. It was found that the combination of curcumin and propolis was synergistically effective (FICI≤0.5) on 80 (80%) Trichophyton isolates and ineffective (0.5

Conclusion:

As a result of the study, it was determined that curcumin and propolis extracts by themselves and in combination had antifungal and synergistic effects on T.rubrum and T.mentagrophytes species. This study has the specialty of being the first study which has investigated the synergistic effects of curcumin and propolis on Trichophyton species. It is thought that supporting the results of the study with further studies may create an alternative/complementary option for clinicians in the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Keywords: Trichophyton, curcumin, propolis, MIC, synergistic effect