Essential oils and their components in combating fungal pathogens of animal and human skin.

OBJECTIVE: The most common problems of modern medicine include fungal infections of the skin and its appendages caused by dermatomycetes, yeast-like fungi and moulds. Due to toxicity of pharmacological fungicides and promotion of ecology, natural substances with high antifungal properties are sought. Essential oils and their components show potential in this regard. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fourteen commercial essential oils were tested for antifungal activity. The study were carried out by agar dilution method against the following fungal species: Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton violaceum, Aspergillus niger, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and (IZ 1) dog skin isolate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined for all tested oils and individual components of oils with the highest activity against the tested fungi. GC-MS analysis was performed for the most active oils. RESULTS: Cinnamon, thyme, clove, geranium and manuka oils were most active against the test fungi. The MIC values in the tested oils were in the range of 0.5->10µg/µl and the MFC amounted to 1.25->10µg/µl. Activity of individual components against the tested fungi strains was selective and clearly higher against dermatomycetes fungi and IZ 1 isolate. The strongest effect on dermatomycetes fungi was of cinnamaldehyde, thymol and carvacrol-with the values of 0.039-1.25µg/µl (MIC) and 0.078-1.25µg/µl (MFC). In turn, the highest activity against IZ 1 isolate was of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, carvacrol, geraniol and thymol. Their MIC and MFC was 0.313-1.25µg/µl. CONCLUSION: The results prove the applicability of selected oils and their components as alternatives to synthetic agents in combating fungal dermatoses in animals and humans.

Nanoformulations as a modern form of biofungicide.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to elaborate new forms of biofungicide formulations which could increase biological activity of essential oil against various strains of pathogenic fungi of plants, dermatophytes, and molds. METHODS: The nanoemulsions containing four various essential oils (cinnamon, thyme, manuka, and tea tree oil) were obtained by using the low-energy (PIC) and the high-energy emulsification methods (ultrasonification). The physicochemical properties and activity of prepared systems against strains of pathogenic fungi of plants (F. culmorum, Ph. cactorum), dermatophytes (T. mentagrophytes M. gypseum) and molds (S. brevicaulis, A. niger) were examined. Fungicidal activity was tested by the method of linear growth of mycelium on an agar medium. Macroemulsions containing the oils and the pure essential oils were used as comparative samples. RESULTS: It was found that nanoemulsions prepared by ultrasonification showed excellent fungicidal activity compared to pure oils and macroemulsions. Among others, the manuka oil nanoformulations showed the highest activity against the tested fungi. CONCLUSIONS: Nanoemulsions can be applied as the effective carriers of essential oils. They allow the reduction of the concentration of the bioactive oils while maintaining biological activity. The obtained nanosystems can be applied as safe, biodegradable, eco-friendly antifungal products in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agrochemical industries as they increase the biological activity of the tested oils against various type of fungi.

Synthesis of New Quaternary Ammonium Salts with a Terpene Function and Evaluation of their Fungicidal and Herbicidal Activities.

A series of new quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) containing a terpenoid moiety derived from perillyl alcohol, citronellol, and geraniol was synthesized. Structures of all novel compounds were confirmed by spectral methods and elemental analyses. Fungicidal activity of the obtained compounds against six plant pathogens, against four fungi destroying wood and technical materials as well as herbicidal activity against ten species of temperate climate weeds has been examined. Several salts showed a higher antifungal and herbicidal activity than activity of the reference compounds.

SYNTHESIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF NEW MANDELATE IONIC LIQUIDS.

Novel mandelate ionic liquids with quartenary ammonium cations were synthesized and characterized. The compounds exhibit antimicrobial activity and the most potent one is of similar efficacy against Gram+ bacteria as its counterpart chloride. On the other hand, the mandelates are much less active against Gram-bacteria and fungi. QSAR models suggest that, with respect to cation, their potency depends on lipophilicity. The synthesized ionic liquids are also quite cytotoxic against mammalian cells.