Evaluation of antifungal activity of essential oils against different species of Candida

• Grant number: 17/26517-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Regina Helena Pires
• Grantee: Brenda Lorena Balbino
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Candida is a yeast associated with superficial or systemic infections that has become a public health problem in the face of emerging resistance to antimicrobials, especially to azoles, drugs of choice for the candidiasis treatment. Among the potential sources for new antifungals, the antimicrobial properties of essential oils are highlighted, evidencing the dynamic interactions between human populations and plants. Thus, the present research aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils (22) against Candida species (6). In addition, the most active oils will be tested for the ability to prevent biofilm formation as well as for their anti-biofilm activity. The strains to be tested will include Candida albicans ATCC 5314, Candida glabrata ATCC 2001, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019, Candida krusei ATCC 6258, Candida tropicalis ATCC 13803, and Candida orthopsilosis ATCC 96141. The essential oils to be used will come from: litsia, cubiba, cypress, mint, rose, melaluca, petit grain, rosemary, birch, lemon grass, lemon, Piper aduncun (samples 1, 2 and 3), dried leaves and fresh leaves of ponkan tangerine, fresh cut leaves and peels of: ponkan tangerine, orange pear of the river, bunch tangerine, Bahia tangerine and tangerine scones. The antifungal activity will be evaluated by the broth microdilution methodology revealed by resazurin. The ability of biofilm prevention and biofilm cell viability, after exposure to oils, will be measured by the 2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide (XTT) reduction assay. The research will corroborate with the studies of ethnobotany that aims at new antifungals for the candidiasis treatment, a disease of relevance in the field of public health. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEDROSO, REGINALDO DOS SANTOS; BALBINO, BRENDA LORENA; ANDRADE, GESSICA; PEREIRA SACARDO DIAS, MARIA CECILIA; ALVARENGA, TAVANE APARECIDA; NASCIMENTO PEDROSO, RITA CASSIA; PIMENTA, LETICIA PEREIRA; LUCARINI, RODRIGO; PAULETTI, PATRICIA MENDONCA; JANUARIO, ANA HELENA; et al. In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Candida spp. Activity of Plant-Derived Products. PLANTS-BASEL, v. 8, n. 11, NOV 2019. (18/02333-0, 18/20828-7, 17/26517-0)