Selected essential oil components as promising topical agents against Candida species: in vitro antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities

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Abstract
Candida species have emerged as a global threat due to their rapid worldwide spread and multidrug-resistant properties. Therefore, novel and more effective antifungal agents, including natural-based preparations, are being actively sought. Essential oil (EO) components, including α-bisabolol, carvacrol, eugenol, linalool, menthol, and thymol, were evaluated in vitro for their antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to select EO compounds demonstrating the highest anticandidal activity together with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for potential use as active ingredients in topical preparations. The activity of the tested EO compounds against five reference yeast strains belonging to Candida spp. was assessed in vitro using the broth microdilution method according to the recommendations of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). All EO compounds demonstrated potential anticandidal activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.25 to 4 mg/mL, and exhibited fungicidal properties (MFC/MIC = 1–4). The highest activity was observed for α-bisabolol (MIC = 0.25–1 mg/mL), followed by carvacrol (MIC = 0.25–2 mg/mL), thymol (MIC = 0.5–2 mg/mL), and eugenol (MIC = 0.5–2 mg/mL). Eugenol exhibited the strongest antioxidant properties, even at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, as demonstrated by the DPPH assay. Moreover, this compound showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity, reflected by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition of approximately 45% at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Based on the obtained results, eugenol appears to be the most promising candidate for the development of topical preparations intended for the treatment of superficial infections caused by Candida spp.

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