Explore type and concentration of Indonesian propolis wax in inhibiting Candida albicans: In vitro study anti-candidiasis

Candida sp. is the most aetiology of superficial and systemic fungal infection in human. The rising number of Candida albicans resistant as antifungal has drawn attention to a new alternative treatment's finding. Natural substances like propolis become a preferred option due to the expectation of having fewer side effects. Propolis as one substance products of bees, containing polyphenols and flavonoids was already known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Propolis wax from Sulawesi, Indonesia has never been tested on Candida albicans. The aim of this study is to determine the best concentration of propolis, which effective against Candida albicans. This study was conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. Candida albicans on Mueller-Hinton agars were tested to a disk diffusion that contains three types of Propolis wax (regular, coral, mixed) with different concentrations, 1%, 5%, and 7%. The result indicated that 5% and 7% were the effective concentration for every type of propolis wax and no difference between the type of Propolis wax (Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney). Propolis wax at concentration 5% and 7% could be an alternative substance in overcoming candidiasis infections.