Thymbra capitata essential oil as potential therapeutic agent against Gardnerella vaginalis biofilm-related infections.
To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Thymbra capitata essential oil and its main compound, carvacrol, against Gardnerella vaginalis grown planktonically and as biofilms, and its effect of vaginal lactobacilli.



Minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal lethal concentration determination and flow cytometry analysis were used to assess the antibacterial effect against planktonic cells. Antibiofilm activity was measured through quantification of biomass and visualization of biofilm structure by confocal laser scanning microscopy.



T. capitata essential oil and carvacrol exhibited a potent antibacterial activity against G. vaginalis cells. Antibiofilm activity was more evident with the essential oil than carvacrol. Furthermore, vaginal lactobacilli were significantly more tolerant to the essential oil.



T. capitata essential oil stands up as a promising therapeutic agent against G. vaginalis biofilm-related infections.
Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
Daniela
D
Machado
CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.|Labfit - HPRD: Health Products Research & Development Lda, Edificio UBIMEDICAL, Estrada Municipal 506, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal.
Carlos
C
Gaspar
CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.|Labfit - HPRD: Health Products Research & Development Lda, Edificio UBIMEDICAL, Estrada Municipal 506, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal.
Ana
A
Palmeira-de-Oliveira
CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
Carlos
C
Cavaleiro
CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
Lígia
L
Salgueiro
CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.|Women & Child Health Department, Centro Hospitalar Cova da Beira EPE, Covilhã, Portugal.
José
J
Martinez-de-Oliveira
Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
Nuno
N
Cerca
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D000081007:Cymenes; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013053:Spectrophotometry
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; C073316:carvacrol
Gardnerella vaginalis; Thymbra capitata essential oil; bacterial vaginosis; biofilms; carvacrol; lactobacilli