Background: Systemic fungal infections due to pathogenic yeasts are increasing in high-risk patients, and a need is emerging for novel antifungal agents with potent inhibitory activity toward a wide range of pathogenic fungi. In this study we investigated the composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae) against standard species of Candida and compared the results with commercial antifungal agents. Methods: The aerial parts of Saliva officinalis were collected in May 2011. The essential oil was extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The susceptibility profiles of different Candida species were determined by micro broth dilution assays with oil extracts and a panel of antifungal agents. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations of essential oil extracts against C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei (standard species), C. albicans and C. glabrata (isolated from patients) were 15.6, 3.9, 31.3, 31.3 and 1.9 µg/ml, respectively. Chemical analysis of the essential oil revealed the presence of 40 components that made up 99.58% of the total composition. Cineole, borneol, α-thujone, ledene, β-pinene, α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene were the major components of the oil.
Conclusion:The oil extract of Salvia officinalis showed good antifungal activity, and could serve as a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides for the control of some important fungal diseases.