title: Antifungal activity, mode of action and anti-biofilm effects of Laurus nobilis Linnaeus essential oil against Candida spp.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study demonstrated the antifungal potential of the chemically characterized essential oil (EO) of Laurus nobilis L. (bay laurel) against Candida spp. biofilm adhesion and formation, and further established its mode of action on C. albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  L. nobilis EO was obtained and tested for its minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations (MIC/MFC) against Candida spp., as well as for interaction with cell wall biosynthesis and membrane ionic permeability. Then we evaluated its effects on the adhesion, formation, and reduction of 48hC. albicans biofilms. The EO phytochemical profile was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MIC and MFC values of the EO ranged from (250 to 500) μg/mL. The MIC values increased in the presence of sorbitol (osmotic protector) and ergosterol, which indicates that the EO may affect cell wall biosynthesis and membrane ionic permeability, respectively. At 2 MIC the EO disrupted initial adhesion of C. albicans biofilms (p<0.05) and affected biofilm formation with no difference compared to nystatin (p>0.05). When applied for 1min, every 8h, for 24h and 48h, the EO reduced the amount of C. albicans mature biofilm with no difference in relation to nystatin (p>0.05). The phytochemical analysis identified isoeugenol as the major compound (53.49%) in the sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L. nobilis EO has antifungal activity probably due to monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in its composition. This EO may affect cell wall biosynthesis and membrane permeability, and showed deleterious effects against C. albicans biofilms.
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil.
authors: Larissa Rangel
authors: LR
authors: Peixoto
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, 13414-903, SP, Brazil.
authors: Pedro Luiz
authors: PL
authors: Rosalen
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil.
authors: Gabriela Lacet Silva
authors: GL
authors: Ferreira
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, 13414-903, SP, Brazil.
authors: Irlan Almeida
authors: IA
authors: Freires
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil.
authors: Fabíola Galbiatti
authors: FG
authors: de Carvalho
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil; Human Immunology Research and Education Group (GEPIH), Technical School of Health (Escola Técnica de Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba) - UFPB, João Pessoa, 58051-900, PB, Brazil.
authors: Lúcio Roberto
authors: LR
authors: Castellano
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil. Electronic address: ricardodiasdecastro@pq.cnpq.br.
authors: Ricardo Dias
authors: RD
authors: de Castro
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005054:Eugenol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D027442:Laurus / Q000737:chemistry*; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D009761:Nystatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D009761:Nystatin; D005054:Eugenol; D013012:Sorbitol; C036643:isoeugenol; D004875:Ergosterol
keywords: Antifungal agents; Candida; Candidiasis; Laurus nobilis; Oils; Oral; Volatile