RESUMO
Fungal infections caused by Candida species have attracted great interest due to their resistance to commercial antifungal agents. Essential oils from aromatic and medicinal plants have many bioactive compounds that are known for their important biological activities, mainly their antimicrobial effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the antifungal ability of Elettaria cardamomum essential oil (EO) against different clinical Candida isolates. Then, we investigated the anti-phospholipase, anti-protease, and anti-biofilm activity of E. cardamomum EO against the selected isolates. Twenty-four Candida strains (clinical and reference) were tested for virulence factors such as biofilm formation, protease, and phospholipase activity. The minimum inhibitory (MIC) and fungicidal (MFC) concentrations of E. cardamomum were determined, and their effects were tested against all Candida strains. Our results revealed that E. cardamomum EO was rich in α-terpinyl acetate (56.5%), limonene (12.6%), and mentha-2.4(8)-diene (7.65%). The tested EO showed activity against all tested Candida strains in their planktonic form and against exoenzymes and biofilm production. Based on our findings, we promote the use of E. cardamomum EO as a treatment against clinical Candida isolates active on the virulence factors of this fungus.
RESUMO
Many essential oils are known to possess an antioxidant activity and antifungal properties and therefore they potentially act as antimycotic agents. Essential oil of clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) was isolated by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The antioxidant effect of the tested oil was evaluated by measuring its 2,2-diphenyl-l-1-picrylhydrazil radical scavenging ability and the antiradical dose required to cause a 50% inhibition (IC50) was recorded. The antifungal activity of essential oils was evaluated against 53 human pathogenic yeasts using a disc paper diffusion method. Our results show that the major components present in the clove bund oil were eugenol (88.6%), eugenyl acetate (5.6%), beta-caryophyllene (1.4%) and 2-heptanone (0.9%). The tested essential oil exhibited a very strong radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.2 microg ml-1) when compared with the synthetic antioxidant (tert-butylated hydroxytoluene, IC50 = 11.5 microg ml-1). On the other hand, this species displayed an important antifungal effect against the tested strains. It is clear that clove oil shows powerful antifungal activity; and it can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and in pharmaceutical applications.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/química , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Candida/efeitos dos fármacos , Óleo de Cravo/química , Óleo de Cravo/farmacologia , Syzygium/química , Antioxidantes/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Compostos de Bifenilo , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/farmacologia , Óleos Voláteis/química , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , PicratosRESUMO
The essential oil extracted from the dried flower buds of clove, Eugenia caryophyllata L. Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae), is used as a topical application to relieve pain and to promote healing and also finds use in the fragrance and flavouring industries. The main constituents of the essential oil are phenylpropanoids such as carvacrol, thymol, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. The biological activity of Eugenia caryophyllata has been investigated on several microorganisms and parasites, including pathogenic bacteria, Herpes simplex and hepatitis C viruses. In addition to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal and antiviral activity, clove essential oil possesses antiinflammatory, cytotoxic, insect repellent and anaesthetic properties. This short review addresses the chemical composition and biological effects of clove essential oil, and includes new results from GC/MS analysis and a study of its antimicrobial activity against a large number of multi-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from dialysis biomaterials.