Research - Fungal Infections
Antifungal activity and mode of action of thymol and its synergism with nystatin against Candida species involved with infections in the oral cavity: an in vitro study
Ricardo Dias de Castro1*, Trícia Murielly Pereira Andrade de Souza2, Louise Morais Dornelas Bezerra2, Gabriela Lacet Silva Ferreira1, Edja Maria Melo de Brito Costa3 andAlessandro Leite Cavalcanti3
Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is a phytoconstituent classified as a monoterpene [25]. It is the majority phytoconstituent in the essential oil of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) [24] and is a major component of the essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Abstract
BackgroundLimitations of antifungal agents used in the treatment of oral candidiasis, as the development of resistant strains, are known by the scientific community. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of thymol against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis andCandida krusei strains and to determine its mode of action and synergistic effect when combined with the synthetic antifungal nystatin.
MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using a microdilution technique, and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined via subculture sowing. The mode of action of thymol was established by verifying fungal growth in the presence of sorbitol or ergosterol. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FIC) was determined using the checkerboard method.
ResultsThymol presented an antifungal effect, with MICs of 39 μg/mL for C. albicans and C. krusei and 78 μg/mL for C. tropicalis. The results of the antifungal test remained unchanged in the presence of sorbitol; however, the MIC value of thymol against C. albicans increased eight times (from 39.0 to 312.5 μg/mL) in presence of exogenous ergosterol. The combination of thymol and nystatin reduced the MIC values of both products by 87.4 %, generating an FIC index of 0.25.
ConclusionsThymol was found to have a fungicidal effect on Candida species and a synergistic effect when combined with nystatin.
Source : BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Link to Full Article
Antifungal and Antibacterial Metabolites from a French Poplar Type Propolis
Séverine Boisard,1 Anne-Marie Le Ray,1 Anne Landreau,1 Marie Kempf,2,3 Viviane Cassisa,2,3 Catherine Flurin,4 and Pascal Richomme1
Abstract
During this study, the in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activities of different extracts (aqueous and organic) obtained from a French propolis batch were evaluated. Antifungal activity was evaluated by broth microdilution on three pathogenic strains: Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Antibacterial activity was assayed using agar dilution method on 36 Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains including Staphylococcus aureus. Organic extracts showed a significant antifungal activity against C. albicansand C. glabrata (MIC80 between 16 and 31 µg/mL) but only a weak activity towards A. fumigatus (MIC80 = 250 µg/mL). DCM based extracts exhibited a selective Gram-positive antibacterial activity, especially against S. aureus (SA) and several of its methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) strains (MIC100 30–97 µg/mL). A new and active derivative of catechin was also identified whereas a synergistic antimicrobial effect was noticed during this study.
Source : Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Link to Full Article
In Vitro Screening of 10 Edible Thai Plants for Potential Antifungal Properties
Supattra Suwanmanee, 1 Thitinan Kitisin, 2 and Natthanej Luplertlop 3 ,
Abstract
Growing rates of fungal infections and increasing resistance against standard antifungal drugs can cause serious health problems. There is, therefore, increasing interest in the potential use of medicinal plants as novel antifungal agents. This study investigates the antifungal properties of crude plant extracts from ten medicinal plant species. Crude samples were extracted using the hot water extraction process. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and diameter zone of inhibition were determined in each extract against ten fungal strains, and fluconazole was used as a positive control. The cytotoxicity of crude extracts on in vitro human skin fibroblast (HSF) cell models was determined by MTT assay. Of the ten crude extracts, Psidium guajava L. exhibited the highest antifungal activity, diameter zone of inhibition, and percentage HSF cell viability. Although all extracts exhibited antifungal activity, Psidium guajava L. had the greatest potential for developing antifungal treatments.
Source : Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Link to Full Article
Phytochemical composition, antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Matricaria chamomilla L. essential oils
Enas M. Ali
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to investigate the antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Matricaria chamomilla L. essential oils and their phytochemical composition. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and their phytochemical composition was determined throughout gas chromatography-mas spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Both essential oils and their mixture showed broad antifungal spectrum against Aspergillus flavus, an important food contaminating fungus. The essential oils of G. glabra and M. chamomilla completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production at 800 ppm. Both oils exhibited antioxidant activity as DPPH free radical scavenger in dose dependent manner. Percentage of radical scavenging activity of G. glabra and M. chamomilla oils at 400 μg/ml were calculated to be 85.2 and 91.7%, respectively as compared to standard (BHT) with 75.6% activity at the same concentration. The anticancer properties of essential oils against cells (MCF-7) were evaluated. In anticancer activity exposure of essential oils caused a significant decrease in cell viability in MCF-7 cell line (breast carcinoma). Exposure of MCF-7 cells with G. glabra essential oils resulted in dose dependent increase in cell growth inhibition (CGI) varying from 3 to 77% at concentration ranging from 10 to 640 μg/ml. Similarly, 7 to 89% CGI was obtained when M. chamomilla essential oils was used. The present study demonstrated that essential oils of G. glabra and M. chamomilla have potent antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer with the presence of effective phytochemicals.
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
Link to Full Article
Antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal activities and phytochemical analysis of dagger (Yucca aloifolia) leaves extracts
Sobia1, Muhammad Zubair1*, Nasir Rasool1, Asim Mansha1, Fozia Anjum1, Munawar Iqbal2, Muhammad Mushtaq2 and Muhammad Shahid1
1Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad-38000, Pakistan.
2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.
Abstract
The leaves of Yucca aloifolia were extracted using methanol; fractions with organic solvents were analyzed for their biological activities and photochemical analysis. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using different colorimeteric assays. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by measuring reducing power, % inhibition of linoleic acid peroxide, and scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical while antimicrobial and antifungal activities were evaluated by disc diffusion assay against a set of bacterial and fungal strains. Methanolic extract showed the superior yield of bioactive (%), total phenolics and total flavonoids, and phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins and flavonoids. The Y. aloifolia leaves extract showed considerable antioxidant activity but were solvent-dependent. In biological assay, the extracts showed the antimicrobial activity comparable with standard antibiotics
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
Link to Full Article
A review of chemistry and bioactivities of a medicinal spice: Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel has been used as food and medicine with long history in central Europe and Mediterranean region as well as in China. It is also a flavor food with health value. Numerous compounds including trans-anethole, estragole, fenchone, sesquiterpenoids, coumarins and polyphenolics were isolated from this plant, most of which exhibited significant bioactivities. The fennel has potential beneficial therapeutic actions in the management of bacterial and fungal infections and colic pain. Both the fruit and whole plant of this plant might be the source of chemical and biological materials in future. For further utilization of this plant, systematic phytochemical and biological mechanic studies are needed.
Source : Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 5(16), pp. 3595-3600, 18 August, 2011
Link to Full Article