Eugenia pohliana leaves essential oil inhibits fungal virulence and restores antibiotic efficacy in multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the essential oil from leaves of E. pohliana (EOEP) in regard to its chemical composition, antimicrobial and drug-enhancing activity, as well as the reduction of fungal virulence capacity. Chemical characterization using GC-MS showed as major components the sesquiterpenes δ-cadinene, Epi-α-Muurolol, and bicyclogermacrene. The results of antibacterial tests indicated that Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive to EOEP, that also enhanced the efficacy of gentamicin, erythromycin, and norfloxacin. EOEP exhibited antifungal properties against Candida albicans, in addition to potentiating the effectiveness of fluconazole against Candida tropicalis. It showed anti-virulence effects in all fungal strains. These findings underscore Eugenia pohliana as a potential candidate for the prospection of novel therapeutic agents to treat infectious diseases caused by resistant microbes.