Mentha x piperita (Huds) (Lamiaceae) essential oil of Pancalieri (Turin, Italy): preliminary evaluation of the antifungal activity and synergistic interaction with antifungal drugs

Mentha x piperita L. has been used in folk medicine since antiquity. Recent studies have shown that its essential oil (EO) has antimicrobial properties. We evaluated the antifungal activity of peppermint Black Mitcham of Pancalieri EO against 16 Candida spp., 15 non-Candida spp., and 5 dermatophyte strains (Microsporum canis, M.gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes). Moreover, we evaluated the synergism of peppermint EO with azole drugs (itraconazole and/or ketoconazole) through the checkerboard method. Our preliminary study suggests that peppermint of Pancalieri EO exerts a fungicidal activity against yeast cells, and a fungistatic activity against dermatophytes. Interactions of peppermint EO with azole drugs vs. Cryptococcus neoformans and T.mentagrophytes indicate mainly synergistic profiles