Eucalyptus globulus L. extract as an antifungal agent against Candida species
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abstract
Hundreds of botanical preparations have been prepared and used for a wide variety of conditions. Different studies have been carried out towards to confirm the effective multitude of health benefits provided by medicinal plants [I]. In parallel with these studies, in the last years, high rates of opportunistic fungal infections have been observed, namely involving Candida species. Candida albicans is the most common but, currently, other non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) species have also been associated [2]. This is linked with increasing rates of antifungal resistant species, in part due to the overuse of antimicrobial agents, making these drugs ineffective, not only at higher doses but also even using an antifungal drug-combination [3]. Thus, alternatives to the current anti fungal agents are necessary, namely based on natural matrices. Eucalyptus globulus L. (cider gum) belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is extensively used mainly as expectorant, febrifuge, in respiratory tract affections, antiseptic in wounds, burns, ulcers and cancer (4]. Antifungal activity of its essential oils [5] and ethanolic extracts [6] was already reported but, to the author's knowledge, no studies are available using hydroalcoholic extracts. In this work, the anti fungal properties of E. globulus methanol:water (80:20, v:v) extract were evaluated against nineteen Candida strains (from the species: C. albicans, C.glabrata, C.parapsilosis and C.tropicalis). The results of this experiment evidenced a strong antifungal potential of E. globulus, being effective against seventeen Candida trains and the inhibition zones ranged between 9 and 21 mm. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MlCs) determined varied from 0.1875 and 1.5 mg/mL for the majority of Candida species, except for C. albicans strains (M!Cs> 1.5 mg/mL). In this sense, further studies are necessary in order to elucidate the involved mechanisms of action as well as to determine the main responsible active principles for the studied bioactivity, in terms of chemical composition.
