Antifungal activity of Commiphora myrrha (Almurr Alhigazy) against Aspergillus species isolated from Fungal Sinusitis of Sudanese patients

Abstract

Fungal sinusitis is a serious problem that leads patients to seek medical care. The aim of this study was to test the antifungal activity of Commiphora myrrha (almurr alhigazy) on Aspergillus species among Sudanese patients. Seventy specimens were collected from patients with symptoms of fungal sinusitis, attended ENT hospital Khartoum, during the period from April to October 2015. Different concentrations in methanol, petroleum ether, volatile oil and aqueous extracts of Commiphora myrrha were screened for their antifungal activity against clinical isolates of Aspergillus species (Aspergillus flavus, A.fumigatus, and A.terreus) and standard Aspergillus niger ATCC9763, using the agar diffusion and dilution methods. The antifungal activity of two reference drugs: Itraconazole and Amphotericin B were determined against standard and clinical isolates and their activity was compared to the activity of C.myrrha extracts. From this study it was found that fungal sinusitis has high frequency in females of age 21-40 years group with one year as a history of disease. Aspergillus flavus was the major isolate. A significant association (P=0.001) was found between operation numbers and fungal sinusitis. Methanol, petroleum ether and volatile oil extracts of the C. myrrha exhibited high activity against Aspergillus flavus, A.fumigatus, A.terreus and A.niger. While aqueous extract exhibited no activity against them. Broth dilution revealed that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was 6.25mg/ml for methanol and volatile oil extracts and 12.5 mg/ml for petroleum ether extract. The Minimum Cidal Concentration (MIC) was 12.5 mg/ml for methanol and volatile oil extracts and 25 mg/ml for petroleum ether extract. Amphotericin B was found effective against Aspergillus flavus, A.fumigatus, A.terreus and A.niger, while all isolates and A.niger except A.terreus were found resistant to Itraconazole. The volatile oil, methanol and petroleum ether extract of C. myrrha exihibited high activity against tested Aspergillus species, and more effective than Itraconazole and Amphotericin B. Gas chromatography analysis exhibited 10 compounds of C. myrrha and also compounds are identified qualitatively by the Retention time, and quantitatively by the area under the curve.