The Anti-Candida Activity of Shikon

Abstract

Antifungal activity of Shikon, roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and Arnebia euchroma was investigated in vitro. The extracts containing the pigments of Ko-shikon or Nan-shikon showed the antifungal activities against Candida albicans. Acetylshikonin, one of these pigments, inhibited the fungal growth at MIC 15.6 μg/ml (RPMI_24h) or 3.9 μg/ml (YNB_24h).