In vitro activity of essential oil from Ocimum gratissimum L. against four Candida species.
Development of effective strategies for treatment of candidiasis and other fungal diseases has posed a challenge, considering the increase in opportunistic fungal infections in HIV-positive and immunocompromised patients. The in vitro antifungal activity of essential oil from Ocimum gratissimum was investigated in order to evaluate its efficacy against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy and negative staining in light microscopy were performed to reveal the effects of the essential oil on the morphology of these yeasts. Determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations and time-kill curves demonstrated that the essential oil showed fungicidal activity against all of the Candida species studied. Analysis of the ultrastructure of the yeast cells revealed changes in the cell wall and in the morphology of some subcellular organelles. Bud formation in the yeasts was impaired in treated cells. The essential oil of O. gratissimum is a potential candidate as a phytotherapeutic agent in some fungal diseases and for the control of fungi in the environment.
Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, 87020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Celso Vataru
CV
Nakamura
Kelly
K
Ishida
Ligia Carla
LC
Faccin
Benedito Prado Dias
BP
Filho
Diógenes Aparício Garcia
DA
Cortez
Sonia
S
Rozental
Wanderley
W
de Souza
Tânia
T
Ueda-Nakamura
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D031339:Ocimum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010938:Plant Oils