IMR Press / FBL / Volume 28 / Issue 2 / DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2802028
Open Access Original Research
Anti-Candida and Antibiofilm Activity of Selected Lamiaceae Essential Oils
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1 Chair and Department of Medical Microbiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
2 Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants – National Research Institute, 60-630 Poznań, Poland
3 Division of Perinatology and Women's Disease, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznań, Poland
4 Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznań, Poland
5 Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants – National Research Institute, 62-064 Plewiska, Poland
6 Medical Institute, Podhale State Higher Vocational School, 34-400 Nowy Targ, Poland
*Correspondence: tkarpin@ump.edu.pl (Tomasz M. Karpiński)
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2023, 28(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2802028
Submitted: 2 November 2022 | Revised: 30 January 2023 | Accepted: 31 January 2023 | Published: 16 February 2023
Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: Candidiasis is a common oral and vaginal infection. Some papers have presented that the essential oils of Lamiaceae plants can have antifungal activity. This study aimed to investigate the activity of 7 essential oils of the Lamiaceae family with known phytochemical compositions against Candida fungi. Methods: Forty-four strains belonging to six species were tested: C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis. During this investigation, the following methods were used: determination of the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), biofilm inhibition studies, and in silicotoxicity tests. Results: Essential oils of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) showed the best anti-Candida activity, with MIC values below 3.125 mg/mL. Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), mint (Mentha × piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oils were also very active (0.39 to 6.25 or 12.5 mg/mL). Sage (Salvia officinalis) essential oil presented the lowest activity, with MIC values ranging from 3.125 to 100 mg/mL. In an antibiofilm study using MIC values, oregano and thyme essential oils showed the greatest effect, followed by lavender, mint, and rosemary oils. The weakest antibiofilm activity was observed with the lemon balm and sage oils. In silico toxicity research suggests that most of main compounds of Lamiaceae essential oils probably do not exhibit carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or cytotoxicity. Conclusions: The obtained results showed that Lamiaceae essential oils have anti-Candida and antibiofilm activity. Further research is required to confirm the safety and efficacy of essential oils in the topical treatment of candidiasis.

Keywords
essential oils
antifungal
antibiofilm
Lamiaceae
phytocompounds
drug sensitivity
in silico
toxicity
Highlights

Lamiaceae essential oils have activity against Candida species.
Lamiaceae essential oils have activity against the biofilm of selected Candida strains.
Based on in silico studies it appears that Lamiaceae essential oils do not exhibit carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and cytotoxicity.

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