Lavender Oil: A Promising Antifungal and Antibiofilm Agent Against Oral Thrush

Jenn Hoskins
8th August, 2024

Lavender Oil: A Promising Antifungal and Antibiofilm Agent Against Oral Thrush

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Universidade Federal da Paraíba found that Lavandula dentata L. essential oil (LD-EO) has strong antifungal activity against oral Candida albicans, including drug-resistant strains
  • LD-EO was effective in preventing biofilm formation, which is crucial for managing persistent oral candidiasis
  • The study showed that LD-EO is relatively safe for human cells at the concentrations needed to inhibit fungal growth
Candida albicans is a significant fungal pathogen responsible for oral candidiasis, a condition that can be challenging to treat due to increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs. This study, conducted by researchers at Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), explores the potential of Lavandula dentata L. essential oil (LD-EO) as a novel antifungal agent against oral strains of C. albicans, including those resistant to miconazole[1]. The study aimed to evaluate the antifungal and antibiofilm activities of LD-EO, determine its mechanisms of action, and assess its toxicity. The researchers used a variety of methods to measure the antifungal activity of LD-EO, including Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) assays. They also investigated the combined effects of LD-EO with miconazole using the Checkerboard method and examined its impact on the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane through sorbitol and ergosterol assays. One of the significant findings was that LD-EO exhibited strong fungicidal activity, with an MIC100 of 8 μg/mL and an MFC of 16 μg/mL. Notably, LD-EO was effective even against miconazole-resistant isolates of C. albicans. The study also found that LD-EO had synergistic effects when used in combination with miconazole, suggesting that it could enhance the efficacy of existing antifungal treatments. The researchers conducted a phytochemical analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, identifying eucalyptol (33.1%), camphor (18.3%), and fenchone (15.6%) as the major constituents of LD-EO. These components are known for their antimicrobial properties, which likely contribute to the observed antifungal effects. In addition to its antifungal activity, LD-EO demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation more effectively than disrupting preformed biofilms. Biofilms are protective layers formed by microbial communities that make infections harder to treat. The ability of LD-EO to prevent biofilm formation could be particularly beneficial in managing oral candidiasis, where biofilms play a crucial role in disease persistence and resistance to treatment. The study also assessed the toxicity of LD-EO using a hemolysis assay on human erythrocytes. The results showed low hemolytic activity at the MIC, indicating that LD-EO is relatively safe for human cells at the concentrations needed to inhibit fungal growth. These findings are consistent with previous research on the antimicrobial properties of essential oils (EOs). For example, a review of plant-derived EOs highlighted their potential as natural food-grade preservatives due to their antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria[2]. Another study demonstrated the antifungal activity of Foeniculum vulgare EO, which was found to be effective against various fungal strains and safe for mammalian cells at specific concentrations[3]. The study by UFPB researchers expands on these earlier findings by providing evidence that LD-EO is not only effective against C. albicans but also has potential as a therapeutic alternative for miconazole-resistant cases of oral candidiasis. This aligns with the growing interest in developing new antimicrobial agents to combat microbial resistance, as noted in previous reviews that emphasize the need for diverse and reliable antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods[4]. In conclusion, the research conducted by UFPB presents LD-EO as a promising candidate for treating oral candidiasis, especially in cases where conventional treatments fail. Its strong antifungal and antibiofilm activities, combined with low toxicity, make it a viable option for further investigation and potential clinical application.

HerbsMedicineMycology

References

Main Study

1) Lavandula dentata L. essential oil: a promising antifungal and antibiofilm agent against oral Candida albicans.

Published 7th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.283646

Related Studies

2) Essential Oils and Their Major Components: An Updated Review on Antimicrobial Activities, Mechanism of Action and Their Potential Application in the Food Industry.

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11030464

3) Assessment of safe bioactive doses of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. essential oil from Portugal.

https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1292266

4) Methods for in vitro evaluating antimicrobial activity: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2015.11.005


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