Antifungal activity of Ferulago capillaris essential oil against Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Pinto, E (Author) FFUP; Hrimpeng, K (Author) Other; Lopes, G (Author) Other; Vaz, S (Author) Other; Goncalves, MJ (Author) Other; Cavaleiro, C (Author) Other; Salgueiro, L (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Vol. 32

Pages: 1311-1320

ISSN: 0934-9723

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 57 Citations

Scopus - 67 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-722

DOI: 10.1007/s10096-013-1881-1

Abstract (EN): This study evaluates the composition, antifungal activity and mechanism of action of the essential oil of Ferulago capillaris (Link ex Spreng.) Cout. and its main components, limonene and alpha-pinene, against clinically relevant yeasts and moulds. Essential oil from the plant's aerial parts was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Essential oil showed high contents of limonene (30.9 %) and alpha-pinene (35.8 %). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were measured according to the reference Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth macrodilution protocols. Cell suspensions were subcultured in solid medium and the minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were rendered. The effect of essential oil on germ tube formation, mitochondrial function and ergosterol biosynthesis was investigated. Essential oil and alpha-pinene displayed low and similar MIC and MFC values against tested organisms (0.08 to 5.0 mu L/mL), while limonene showed a weaker activity (0.32 to 20 mu L/mL). Essential oil inhibited germ tube formation at sub-inhibitory concentrations on Candida albicans. The exposure of C. albicans to the essential oil resulted in impairment of mitochondrial functions in a dose-dependent manner. No difference in ergosterol content was observed in essential oil-treated C. albicans. F. capillaris and alpha-pinene display a broad fungicidal activity. The fungicidal activity of F. capillaris on C. albicans can be related to an induced oxidative stress which affects enzymes activity and the membrane potential of mitochondria. The essential oil of F. capillaris was shown to have potential for use in the development of clinically useful therapeutic preparations, particularly for topical application in the management of superficial mycoses.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10