The increasing incidence and severity of fungal infections, particularly in patients with impaired immune system, have stimulated the search for natural drugs as a possible alternative to chemical substances. The essential oils, known since ancient times in popular medicine, have recently been recognized for their potential antimicrobial role. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of some essential oils (fennel, clove, pine, lavander, sage, thyme, lemon balm) against dermatophytes and other envinronmental and clinical filamentous fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were assayed in RPMI 1640 medium by microdilution method recommended by the NCCLS and by vapour contact assay. The composition of oils was analyzed by gas-chromatography (GC) and gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that the antifungal activity of oils depended on the assay method used. The inhibiting effects of essential oil in vapour phase were generally higher than that in liquid state. Thyme oil was the overall best growth inhibitor followed by fennel and clove; on the contrary pine oil had limited effects.
Comparative in vitro activity of essential oils against dermatophytes and other filamentous fungi
TULLIO, Viviana Cristina;MANDRAS, Narcisa;CUFFINI, Annamaria;CARLONE, Nicola;
2004-01-01
Abstract
The increasing incidence and severity of fungal infections, particularly in patients with impaired immune system, have stimulated the search for natural drugs as a possible alternative to chemical substances. The essential oils, known since ancient times in popular medicine, have recently been recognized for their potential antimicrobial role. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of some essential oils (fennel, clove, pine, lavander, sage, thyme, lemon balm) against dermatophytes and other envinronmental and clinical filamentous fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were assayed in RPMI 1640 medium by microdilution method recommended by the NCCLS and by vapour contact assay. The composition of oils was analyzed by gas-chromatography (GC) and gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that the antifungal activity of oils depended on the assay method used. The inhibiting effects of essential oil in vapour phase were generally higher than that in liquid state. Thyme oil was the overall best growth inhibitor followed by fennel and clove; on the contrary pine oil had limited effects.
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
