title: Effect of plant oils on Candida albicans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Candida species, notably Candida albicans, is the major fungal pathogen in humans. It is a dimorphic fungus capable of causing superficial mucosal infections, as well as systemic infections, in immunocompromised individuals. The factors responsible for its pathogenesis are still not fully understood and increasing resistance to commonly used antifungal agents necessitates the search for new formulations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inhibitory effect of 30 different plant oils on Candida albicans isolated from clinical samples was evaluated. The antifungal agent fluconazole was used as a positive control. Plant oils were tested at concentrations from 0.03% to 3% (v/v) to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) using agar dilution and macro broth dilution assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 30 plant oils tested, 18 were found to be effective and 12 were ineffective. Based on their MFCs, effective oils were placed into three categories: most effective, moderately effective and least effective. Eucalyptus and peppermint oils were most effective, with MFC values of 0.12% and 0.15% (v/v), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The significant antifungal activity of these oils suggests that they could serve as a source of compounds with therapeutic potential against Candida-related infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India. vishnu_agarwal02@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Vishnu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pruthi
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D055808:Drug Discovery; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010938:Plant Oils; D015725:Fluconazole