therapeutic effects of ethanol extract of propolis on experimental cutaneous candidiasis in horse

Candida albicans is an opportunistic flora in the skin and mucous membranes which under specific condition causes clinical symptoms of candidiasis in human and animals (1). prophylactic and therapeutic administrations of some anti-fungal drugs have caused drug resistance (2); therefore, there is a need to introduce novel therapeutic agents for treatment of candidiasis. the appearance of horse skin is very important from conformational point of view; hence, the present study was conducted to examine the therapeutic effects of ethanol extract of propolis on experimental cutaneous candidiasis in horse. two six-year-old female horses approximately 400 kg were included into the present study. the immune system of animals was suppressed with dexamethasone. thorax and flanks on the right and left sides were shaved. the c. albicans (cptc: 5027) suspension was inoculated intra-dermally (3) at four points on each area (5 cm equidistant from each other). the lesions on the right thorax were treated with ethanolic extract of propolis, the lesions on the left thorax were treated with nystatin ointment, and the lesions on the right flank were treated with glycerin. the lesions on the left flank were left untreated. cutaneous candidiasis was established within 5 days. ethanol extract of propolis during 5 days and nystatin within 8 days improved the clinical signs of cutaneous candidiasis. it was concluded that ethanol extract of propolis could improve injuries of horse cutaneous candidiasis in a shorter time compared to nystatin. therefore, it could be considered as a suitable alternative to other synthetic anti-fungal products.