SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.23 issue1Associated factors with the development of multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in the department of Piura, Peru 2009-2014Characterization of patients with clinical diagnosis of Histoplasmosis in the "Hospital Universitario San Ignacio" between 2012-2016 author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • On index processCited by Google
  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO
  • On index processSimilars in Google

Share


Infectio

Print version ISSN 0123-9392

Infect. vol.23 no.1 Bogotá Jan./Mar. 2019

https://doi.org/10.22354/in.v23i1.750 

ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL

Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad essential oil and its anti-candidal activities against clinical isolates of Candida albicans isolated from women with candidiasis

Actividad anti-Candida de los aceites esenciales del Jamzad Satureja khuzistanica contra aislados clínicos de Candida albicans obtenidos de mujeres con candidiasis

Mohaddese Mahboubi1  * 

Bahareh Attaran2 

1 Department of Microbiology, Medicinal Plants Research Center of Barij, Kashan, Iran, P.O.1178.

2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran


Abstract

Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad is known as antiseptic and analgesic agent in folk medicine. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the anti-candidal activity of S. khuzistanica aerial parts essential oil against clinical isolates of Candida albicans, which were isolated from women with chronic recurrent candidiasis. For this purpose, the chemical composition of hydro-distilled essential oil was determined by GC and GC-MS analysis. Then, the anti-candidal activity of essential oil and its main component (carvacrol) were determined. Carvacrol (94.1%) was the main component of essential oil, followed by β-bisabolene, p-cymene and γ-terpinene. S. khuzistanica essential oil had strong anti-candidal activity against clinical isolates of C. albicans via inhibition of germ tube formation and induction the huge punctures in the cytoplasmic structures. The cell membranes were intact in presence of essential oil or carvacrol. S. khuzistanica essential oil as the main source of carvacrol can be used for treatment of C. albicans related infections.

Keywords: Satureja khuzistanica; essential oil; Candida albicans; Germ tube; Carvacrol

Resumen

Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad es conocido como analgésico y antiséptico en la medicina tradicional. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto anti- Candida de los aceites esenciales obtenidos de las partes aéreas de S. khuzistanica sobre aislados clínicos de Candida albicans, obtenidos de mujeres con candidadiasis crónica recurrente. Para este propósito la composición química de aceites esenciales hidrodestilados fueron determinados por análisis GC y GC-MS. Luego la actividad anti-candidasica de los aceites esenciales y de su componente principal (carvacrol) fue determiando. Carvacrol (94.1%) fue el principal compuesto del aceite esencial seguido por β-bisaboleno, p-cimeno and γ-terpineno. El aceite esencial de S. khuzistanica tuvo fuerte actividad anti-candida contra aislados clínicos de C. albicans via la inhibicion de tubo germinal y la inducción de estructuras puntiformes en la membrana citoplásmatica. Las membranas celulares quedaron intactas en presencia del aceite esencial o del carvacrol. El aceite esencial de S. khuzistanica como fuente principal de carvacrol podría ser usado como tratamiento de infecciones relacionadas con Candida albicans.

Palabras claves: Satureja khuzistanica; aceites esenciales; Candida albicans; tubo germinal (prueba); Carvacrol

Introduction

Candida albicans as the most important cause of fungal infections in immune compromised patients can be the reason for different infections from simple mucosal infections to the lethal forms1. Candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections, which is caused by Candida species especially by C. albicans. Topical azole drugs are usually used for treatment. Continuous use of these drugs has been associated with adverse effects2 and development of resistant C. albicans isolates3,4. Drug resistant C. albicans isolates and the adverse effects of current treatments, have encouraged the scientists to find the new natural herbal antifungal agents in different systems of traditional medicines5-9.

S. khuzistanica has been traditionally used as an antiseptic and analgesic agent10. Some biological activities of S. khuzistanica such as immune stimulatory action11, neuro-protective effect12, improving the fertility in rats13, inhibitory effects against diabetic nephropathy14, protective effects against toxicity of malathion15 and cyclophosphamide16, increasing the opioid analgesic tolerance to morphine17, efficacy in treatment of IBD (inflammatory bowel Disease)12, antioxidant18, anti-diabetic19,20, antinociceptive17, and anti-parasitic effects21,22were confirmed in different investigations.

The antifungal activity of S. khuzistanica essential oil against Cryptococcus neoformans23 , Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Rhizopus sp. and Mucor sp24 were reported. In this study, we evaluated the anti-candidal activity of S. khuzistanica essential oil against clinical C. albicans, which were isolated from vaginal samples of woman suffering from recurrent candidiasis. S. khuzistanica essential oil related mechanisms were also determined by evaluating its ability to germ tube formation and observing the structures of cell by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in presence of essential oil and carvacrol.

Materials and methods

Plant materials, extraction of essential oil and GC, GC-MS analysis

Satureja khuzistanica aerial parts at full flowering stage were collected from Lorestan Province, Iran in June 2014 and were authenticated under herbarium number of 168-1 by Agricultural Department of Medicinal Plant Research Center of Barij, Kashan, Iran by Dr. H. Hosseini. The dried aerial parts of S. khuzistanica were grinded and subjected to hydro-distillation by Clevenger type apparatus for 3 h. The yellow essential oil was separated and kept in dark vial at cold place (4 °C) until the analysis.

The chemical composition of S. khuzistanica essential oil was analyzed using Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography-Mass Spectra (GC-MS). The GC and GC-MS analyses were conducted on Agilent technology (HP) 6890 with capillary column of HP-1MS (30 m × 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 μm) and Agilent technology (HP) 6890 that was coupled with 5973 network mass selective detector system, respectively. The oven temperature program was initiated at 40 °C, held for 1 min, then raised up to 230 °C at a rate of 3 °C /min, held for 10 min. Helium was used as carrier gas at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min with a split ratio equal to 1/50 injector. The detector and injector temperatures were 250 and 230 °C, respectively. Components of essential oil were identified by comparison with Retention Indices (RI) relative to homologous series of n-alkanes (injected in conditions equal to sample) and by computer search using libraries of Wiley 275.L and Wiley 7n.1, as well as comparison of the fragmentation pattern of the mass spectra with data published in the literature25.

Microbial strains

This study was conducted on 30 clinical isolates of C. albicans that were isolated from vaginal samples of women suffering from candidiasis. C. albicans isolates were identified according to the results of positive germ tube formation, growth on chloramphenicol sabouraud dextrose agar, chlamydospore formation, color of colony, carbohydrate absorption and fermentation tests. C. albicans ATCC 10231 was used as control strains.

Anti-candidal activities evaluation of essential oil

By using the CLSI methods including disc diffusion (M44-A2) and micro broth dilution (M27-A3) assays, the anti-candidal activities of essential oil, and synthetic carvacrol (Merck) were determined on clinical isolates of C. albicans. The turbidity of each C. albicans suspension was adjusted to 85% at 530 nm (1×106 CFU/ml) by spectrophotometer. Suspensions were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar using a sterile cotton swab. Subsequently, filter discs (6 mm in diameter) (Padtan Teb Co, Tehran, Iran) were saturated with different concentrations of essential oil (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 μl) and synthetic carvacrol (0.473, 0.945 μl). Clotrimazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B discs (Rosco Diagnostica A/S, Taastrupgaardsvej 30, DK-2630, Taastrup) were used as positive controls. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 48 h. The inhibition zone diameters were determined and reported in millimeter ±Standard Deviation (mm±SD)26.

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of essential oil, clotrimazole and carvacrol were determined by micro broth dilution assay. The compounds were two-fold serially diluted. 100 μl of dilutions were poured in 96- well micro titer plates. MOPS-buffered RPMI 1640 was used as broth media. 100 μl of diluted candidal suspensions (104 CFU/ml) was added to each well and incubated at 35±2 ºC. MIC values were defined as the lowest concentrations of compounds that inhibited the growth after 48 h. MFC values were the first concentrations that showed no growth on Sabouraud dextrose agar27. The experiments were replicated three times and means±standard deviation (SD) were used for drawing the graphs and analysis by Graphpad prism 6. ONE-Way ANOVA test was used to compare the difference between compounds with pvalues at level of 0.05.

Germ tube inhibition test

For germ tube inhibition assay, cell suspension from overnight cultured Sabouraud dextrose agar with C. albicans ATCC 10231 was prepared and the turbidity was adjusted to obtain a density of 1.0×106 CFU/ml. S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol were diluted in DMSO. Then, 10 μl of diluted essential oil or carvacrol were added to 990 μl of yeast suspension to obtain the concentrations equal to 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 times MIC value. Control suspension (without essential oil or carvacrol) was included as positive control. After treatment, 0.5 ml of sheep serum was added to yeast sediment, the tube was incubated for 2-3 h in a water bath with temperature of 35±2 °C. A drop of this suspension was placed on Neobar slide. The germ tube formation was evaluated and the results of three independent experiments were presented as means±SD28.

Observation of treated C. albicans cells by TEM and SEM

For investigating the effect of S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol in liquid phase by TEM, C. albicans cell suspension (1×106 CFU/ml) was inoculated in RPMI containing the MIC value of S. Khuzistanica essential oil or carvacrol (mixed with 0.5% Tween 80). The flasks were incubated at 30 ºC and 180 rpm for 24 h. The treated C. albicans cells and control cells were separated from the media by centrifugation at 8000 rpm for 10 min. The treated C. albicans cells were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer for 30 min and washed three times in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2). Each suspension was serially dehydrated with ethanol 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 100%, respectively. Then, the cells were lyophilized. The pellet was post-fixed in 1% osmium tetraoxide for 30 min, washed with phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2), serially dehydrated in ethanol and embedded in Epon-Araldite resin for making the blocks of the cells pellet. Ultra-thin sections of the cells were stained with gold-palladium and observed under a Philips transmission electron microscope (EM 208) at 100 KV and direct magnification of 180,000×29.

For SEM, a thin serially dehydrated film of cells with ethanol was smeared on a glass cover slip. Samples were stored in desiccators until they were coated with gold-palladium sputter for 200-seconds (Nano Structured coating co. Iran). SEM micrographs were performed using TESCAN VEGA3S electron microscope, at 20 KV.

Results

Chemical Composition of S. khuzistanica essential oil

The extraction yield for essential oil was 4.9% (v/w). The GC and GC-MS analysis of S. khuzistanica essential oil showed the presence of 34 different components, representing 98.4% of total essential oil composition. Carvacrol (94.1%), β-bisabolene (1.7%) were the main components of S. khuzistanica essential oil, followed by p-cymene (0.44%) and γ-terpinene (0.34%) (Table 1).

Table 1 GC-MS analysis of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil 

RI=Retention Index

Antifungal activity of S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol

In disc diffusion method, different concentrations of S. khuzistanica essential oil (0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5 μl/disc) and carvacrol (0.48, 0.95 μl/disc) showed that the inhibition zone diameters (mm) of essential oil or carvacrol were increased dose dependently. 1.5 μl/disc of S. khuzistanica essential oil had higher inhibition zone diameters on clinical isolates of C. albicans than that of ketoconazole (10 μg/disc), and clotrimazole (10 μg/disc). The inhibition zone diameters of 1 μl/disc S. khuzistanica essential oil was higher than amphotericin B (50 U/disc) but was lower than ketoconazole (10 μg/disc), and clotrimazole (10 μg/disc). The inhibition zone diameter of 0.75 μl/disc S. khuzistanica essential oil was equal to amphotericin B. The comparison of inhibition zone diameters of S. khuzistanica essential oil showed that there is no significant difference between 0.47 μl/disc carvacrol (equal to amount of carvacrol in 0.5 μl S. khuzistanica oil) and 0.5 μl/disc essential oil, but the inhibition zone diameter of 0.945 μl/disc of carvacrol (equal to amount of carvacrol in 1 μl essential oil) was higher than that of 1 μl/disc S. khuzistanica essential oil (Figure 1).

Figure 1 The anti-candidal activity evaluations of compounds against clinical isolates of C. albicans by disc diffusion method. Significant at the level of 0.05 and the higher inhibition zone diameter to the lower level were shown by the letter a, b, c, d, e. 

The antifungal activity evaluation of S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol by micro broth dilution assay by assessing their MIC and MFC values showed insignificant difference between the MIC and MFC values of S. khuzistanica essential oil and MIC value of carvacrol (P>0.05). Furthermore, the MFC value of carvacrol had significant difference with its MIC value (Figure 2).

Figure 2 The antifungal activity of S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol (μl/ml) in comparison with clotrimazole (μg/ml) against clinical isolates of C. albicans by micro broth dilution assay. Significant at the level of 0.05 and the lower value to higher level were shown by the letter a, b, c, d, respectively. 

Evaluation the inhibitory effects of essential oil and carvacrol on germ tube formation exhibited that the germ tube inhibitory effect of S. khuzistanica essential oil was stronger than that of carvacrol (Figure 3).

Figure 3 The inhibitory effects of S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol on germ tube formation 

In order to observe the caused cytological changes by S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol, the prepared samples were observed by SEM and TEM. Figure 4 exhibits the untreated (control), treated with essential oil or carvacrol, respectively. In SEM observation, minimal changes were observed on the structure of treated cells. Some bubbles and notches were observed on cell membranes of treated C. albicans cells. In TEM images, significant ultra-structural modifications were observed in response to S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol in cytoplasm structures. Huge punctures were observed in treated cells with S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol. In fact, S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol formed huge pits in cytoplasm in comparison with untreated C. albicans cells.

Figure 4 Observation of treated C. albicans cells with S. khuzistanica essential oil, carvacrol as compared with untreated C. albicans cells by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (line 1) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) (line 2) 

Discussion

C. albicans is the cause of superficial or life threatening systemic infections. In two different kinds of infections, the pathogenicity of C. albicans is determined by some virulence factors such as germ tube formation. Germ tube formation by C. albicans has been reported as critical factor in attachment and pathogenesis of its strains30. Development of novel therapies against surface colonization of C. albicans by Aloe vera extract31, Ferulago capillaris essential oil32, and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil33 has been the subject of some investigations. According to the results of this study, S. khuzistanica essential oil showed significant anti-candidal effects on clinical C. albicans and inhibitory effects on germ tube formation. The germ tube inhibitory effects of S. khuzistanica essential oil was related to its main component “carvacrol” according to the results of our study. Due to the higher germ tube inhibitory effect of S. khuzistanica essential oil than that of carvacrol, it can be concluded that the other minor compounds of essential oil along with carvacrol may involve in germ tube inhibitory effects of S. khuzistanica essential oil. For example, p-cymene alone as no efficient antimicrobial agent, can enhance the antimicrobial activity of carvacrol34.

The results of anti-candidal activity evaluation of carvacrol on clinical isolates of C. albicans was different by two methods. In disc diffusion method, the inhibition zone diameter of carvacrol was higher than S. khuzistanica essential oil. In broth dilution assay, carvacrol showed the lower anti-candidal effects against C. albicans. Although, carvacrol is a known antifungal agent35,36, but the quota of carvacrol in S. khuzistanica essential oil with higher than 90% carvacrol (94.1%) has not been the subject of any investigation. Due to lower anti-candidal activity of pure carvacrol than that of S. khuzistanica essential oil with 94.1% carvacrol, other minor components of essential oil may exhibit synergistic effects with carvacrol.

Investigation on cellular structures of C. albicans by TEM and SEM images showed that cytoplasmic membranes of C. albicans cells were intact in presence of S. khuzistanica essential oil and carvacrol, while some huge punctures were observed in cell cytoplasm in TEM images. Although, the fungicidal activity of carvacrol through the disruption of ergosterol synthesis has been reported37; but our results showed the cell’s membranes were intact in presence of carvacrol or essential oil. Therefore, the anti-candidal activity of S. khuzistanica essential oil was related to changes in the cytoplasmic structures of C. albicans cells. The results of microscopic observations were in conformity with the results of anti-candidal activities.

Our results have provided the new evidences implicating that S. khuzistanica essential oil had promising anti-candidal activity against clinical isolates of C. albicans by inhibition of germ tube formation and destruction of cytoplasmic structures. Furthermore, it needs further formulations for evaluating the efficacy of S. khuzistanica essential oil against C. albicans related infections in animal models and human studies.

Acknowledgement

References

1. Dromer F, McGinnis MR. Zygomycosis. In: Anaissie EJ, McGinnis MR, 286 Pfaller MA, editors. Clinical mycology. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill 287 Livingstone 2003. [ Links ]

2. Zonios DI, Bennett JE. Update on azole antifungals. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2008;29:198-210. [ Links ]

3. Morschhäuser J. The genetic basis of fluconazole resistance development in Candida albicans. Acta Biochim Biophys. 2002;1587:240-8. [ Links ]

4. White TC, Holleman S, Dy F, Mirels LF, Stevens DA. Resistance mechanisms in clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2002;46:1704-13. [ Links ]

5. Fouladi Z, Afshari P, Gharibi T, Dabbagh MA. The comparison oF Zataria multiflora boiss (Avishan Shirazi) and clotrimazol vaginal cream in the treatment of candidiasis vaginitis. Iran South Med J. 2009;12:214-24. [ Links ]

6. Khosravi AR, Eslami AR, Shokri H, Kashanian M. Zataria multiflora cream for the treatment of acute vaginal candidiasis. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2008;101:201-2. [ Links ]

7. Mahboubi M, Feizabadi MM, Safara M. Antifungal activity of essential oil from Zataria multiflora, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Artemisia sieberi Besser and Pelargonium graveolens against clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Phcog Mag. 2008;15:15S-8S. [ Links ]

8. Naeini A, Khosravi AR, Chitsaz M, Shokri H, Kamlnejad M. Anti-Candida albicans activity of some Iranian plants used in traditional medicine. J Mycol Med 2009;19:168-72. [ Links ]

9. Shokri H, Sharifzadeh A, Ashrafi Tamai I. Anti-Candida zeylanoides activity of some Iranian plants used in traditional medicine. J Mycol Med. 2012;22:211-6. [ Links ]

10. Zargari A. Medicinal plants. Tehran: Tehran University Publications; . 1990:p.42. [ Links ]

11. Khansari A, Yavari V, Alishahi M, Mousavi SM, Ghorbanpoor M, Bastami KD, et al. Effects of Oliviera decumbens and Satureja khuzistanica extract on some immunological and haematological parameters of Cyprinus carpio. Comp Clin Path 2013;22:339-42. [ Links ]

12. Ghazanfari G, Minaie B, Yasa N, Nakhai LA, Mohammadirad A, Nikfar S, et al. Biochemical and histopathological evidences for beneficial effects of Satureja khuzistanica jamzad essential oil on the mouse model of inflammatory bowel diseases. Toxicol. Mech. Methods 2006;16:365-72. [ Links ]

13. Kaeidi A, Esmaeili-Mahani S, Abbasnejad M, Sheibani V, Rasoulian B, Hajializadeh Z, Pasban-Aliabadi H. Satureja khuzistanica attenuates apoptosis in hyperglycemic PC12 cells and spinal cord of diabetic rats. J Nat Med. 2013;67:61-9. [ Links ]

14. Tavafi M, Ahmadvand H, Tamjidipoor A, Delfan B, Khalatbari AR. Satureja khozestanica essential oil ameliorates progression of diabetic nephropathy in uninephrectomized diabetic rats. Tissue cell. 2011;43:45-51. [ Links ]

15. Basiri S, Esmaily H, Vosough-Ghanbari S, Mohammadirad A, Yasa N, Abdollahi M. Improvement by Satureja khuzistanica essential oil of malathion-induced red blood cells acetylcholinesterase inhibition and altered hepatic mitochondrial glycogen phosphorylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities. Pestic Biochem Physiol 2007;89:124-9. [ Links ]

16. Rezvanfar MA, Farshid AA, Sadrkhanlou RA, Ahmadi A, Rezvanfar M-A, Abdollahi M. On the prevention of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis and toxic stress by a potent natural antioxidant. Toxicol Let. 2009;189:S127. [ Links ]

17. Saberi A, Sepehrib G, Esmaeili-M S, Rasoulian B, Sheibani V, Esmaeilpou K, et al. Satureja khuzistanica extract elicits antinociceptive activity in several model of pain in rats. J Appl Sci. 2013;13:729-35. [ Links ]

18. Hashemi MB, Niakousari M, Saharkhiz MJ, Eskandari MH. Effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil on oxidative stability of sunflower oil during accelerated storage. Nat Prod Res 2011;26:1458-63. [ Links ]

19. Ahmadvand H, Tavafi M, Shahsavari G, Khosrobeigi A, Bagheri S, Abdolahpour F. Hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects of Satureja Khozestanica essential oil in Alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 2013;15:26-9. [ Links ]

20. Vosough-Ghanbari S, Rahimi R, Kharabaf S, Zeinali S, Mohammadirad A, Amini S, et al. Effects of Satureja khuzistanica on Serum Glucose, Lipids and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2010;7:465-70. [ Links ]

21. Sadeghi-Nejad B, Saki J, Khademvatan S, Nanaei S. In vitro antileishmanial activity of the medicinal plant-Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad. J Med Plant Res. 2011;5:5912-5. [ Links ]

22. Zibaei M, Sarlak A, Delfan B, Ezatpour B, Azargoon A. Scolicidal effects of Olea europaea and Satureja khuzistanica extracts on protoscolices of hydatid cysts. Korean J Parasitol 2012;50:53-6. [ Links ]

23. Zarrin M, Amirrajab N, Sadeghi-Nejad B. In vitro antifungal activity of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad against Cryptococcus neoformans. Pak J Med Sci Q. 2010;26:880-2. [ Links ]

24. Sadeghi-Nejad B, Shiravi F, Ghanbari S, Alinejadi M, Zarrin M. Antifungal activity of Satureja khuzistanica (Jamzad) leaves extracts. Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology. 2007;3:36-40. [ Links ]

25. Adams RP. Identification of Essential oil Components by Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy. Allured Publishing Corp., Carol Stream, IL. 2001. [ Links ]

26. CLSI. Method for antifungal disk diffusion susceptibility testing of yeasts; approved guideline, 2nd ed., M44-A2 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, Wayne, PA. 2009. [ Links ]

27. CLSI. Reference method for broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts; approved standard, 3rd ed., CLSI document M27-A3 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, Wayne, PA. 2008. [ Links ]

28. Pinto E, Hrimpeng K, Lopes G, Vaz S, Goncalves MJ, Cavaleiro C, et al. Antifungal activity of Ferulago capillaris essential oil against Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2013;32:1311-20. [ Links ]

29. Tyagi AK, Malik A. In situ SEM, TEM and AFM studies of the antimicrobial activity of lemon grass oil in liquid and vapour phase against Candida albicans. Micron 2010;41:797-805. [ Links ]

30. Sobel JD, Muller G, Buckley HR. Critical role of germ tube formation in the pathogenesis of candidal vaginitis. Infect Immun 1984;44:576-80. [ Links ]

31. Bernardes I, Felipe Rodrigues MP, Bacelli GK, Munin E, Alves LP, Costa MS. Aloe vera extract reduces both growth and germ tube formation by Candida albicans. Mycoses. 2012;55:257-61. [ Links ]

32. Pinto E, Vale-Silva L, Cavaleiro C, Salgueiro L. Antifungal activity of the clove essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species. J Med Microbiol. 2009;58:1454-62. [ Links ]

33. Gauch LMR, Silveira-Gomes F, Esteves RA, Pedrosa SS, Gurgel ESC, Arruda AC, Marques-da-Silva SH . Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil on germ tube formation by Candida albicans isolated from denture wearers. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2014;47:389-91. [ Links ]

34. Ultee A, Bennik MH, Moezelaar R. The phenolic hydroxyl group of carvacrol is essential for action against the food-borne pathogen Bacillus cereus. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2002;68(4):1561-8. [ Links ]

35. Abbaszadeh S, Sharifzadeh A, Shokri H, Khosravi AR, Abbaszadeh A. Antifungal efficacy of thymol, carvacrol, eugenol and menthol as alternative agents to control the growth of food-relevant fungi. J Mycol Med. 2014;24(2):e51-e6. [ Links ]

36. Chavan PS, Tupe SG. Antifungal activity and mechanism of action of carvacrol and thymol against vineyard and wine spoilage yeasts. Food Control. 2014;46:115-20. [ Links ]

37. Ahmad A, Khan A, Akhtar F, Yousuf S, Xess I, Khan LA, et al. Fungicidal activity of thymol and carvacrol by disrupting ergosterol biosynthesis and membrane integrity against Candida. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011;30:41-50 [ Links ]

Cómo citar este artículo: M. Mahboubi, et al. Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad essential oil and its anti-candidal activities against clinical isolates of Candida albicans isolated from women with candidiasis. Infectio 2019; 23(1): 16-21

Funding This study is supported by Medicinal Plants, Research Center of Barij, Kashan, Iran.

Ethical responsibilities

Protection of human and animal subjects. This research do not use animal nor human material or data.

Confidentiality of data. Not applicable

Received: February 13, 2018; Accepted: June 13, 2018

* Autor para correspondencia. Correo electrónico: mahboubi1357@yahoo.com; mahboubi@barijessence.com - Telephone: +98 86 44465187

Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Creative Commons License This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License