EFFECTS OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF Thymus vulgaris L. AGAINST Cryptococcus neoformans

Authors

  • Reginaldo Teixeira Nunes
  • Maria do Rosário Rodrigues Silva
  • Fernando Yano Abrão
  • Orionalda de Fátima Lisboa Fernandes
  • Fabyola Amaral da Silva Sá
  • Lúcia Kioko Hasimoto e Souza

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v45i3.43515

Keywords:

Cryptococcus neoformans, Thymus vulgaris, antifungal agents.

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast found in the environment, responsible for causing of meningoencephalitis in patients with a compromised immune system. In Brazil, cryptococcosis is the second cause of death among systemic mycoses. The limited efficacy of
the available antifungal drugs used in its treatment has encouraged the search for therapeutic alternatives, such as medicinal plants. Thymus vulgaris, popularly known as thyme, is an aromatic plant whose essential oil (EO) possesses antifungal properties. The aim of this study was to assess the action of T. vulgaris EO on C. neoformans clinical isolates. This oil was
analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which showed that its main components were thymol, ?-cymene and linalool. Microdilution broth tests showed that this EO was effective against fungal isolates, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging
from 32 to 128 ?g/mL. In vitro interaction tests between this oil and fluconazole (FCZ) showed no potentiation of the antifungal action of this drug. Its effect on mitochondrial metabolism of fungal cells was also evaluated and results demonstrated alterations on the mitochondrial enzyme activity of fungal cells only at concentrations >1,024 ?g/mL. The results of the action of this EO on human erythrocytes indicated that it has low cytotoxic activity at MIC values. 
This investigation describes the antifungal action of T. vulgaris, showing its potential in the development of alternatives in the treatment of C. neoformans.

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Published

2016-09-30

How to Cite

TEIXEIRA NUNES, R.; RODRIGUES SILVA, M. do R.; YANO ABRÃO, F.; LISBOA FERNANDES, O. de F.; AMARAL DA SILVA SÁ, F.; HASIMOTO E SOUZA, L. K. EFFECTS OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF Thymus vulgaris L. AGAINST Cryptococcus neoformans. Revista de Patologia Tropical / Journal of Tropical Pathology, Goiânia, v. 45, n. 3, p. 273–284, 2016. DOI: 10.5216/rpt.v45i3.43515. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/iptsp/article/view/43515. Acesso em: 17 jul. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 3 (2016)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

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