Anticandidal effect of Ocimum sanctum essential oil and its synergy with fluconazole and ketoconazole.
Holy basil, Ocimum sanctum (L.) is time-honored for its medicinal properties; however its antimicrobial characteristics are used only in 'Ayurvedic medicines'. Attention has been drawn to antifungal activity and a possible synergistic antifungal effect of Ocimum sanctum essential oil (OSEO) and established azole antimycotics-fluconazole and ketoconazole. To put forward this approach, antifungal activity has been assessed in seventy four fluconazole-sensitive and sixteen fluconazole-resistant Candida isolates. Hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes was also studied to rule out the possibility of allied additional cytotoxicity. The observed selectively fungicidal characteristics signify a promising candidature of O. sanctum essential oil as an antifungal agent in combinational treatments for candidosis.
Amber
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K
Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
Aijaz
A
A
Immaculata
X
X
Luqman
K A
KA
Nikhat
M
M
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031339:Ocimum / Q000737:chemistry*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015725:Fluconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole