Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the antifungal activity of thyme oil against Candida albicans of nail fungus (onychomycosis) from patients in Syria. Methods: An in vitro study was carried out using the following C. albicans strains involved in onychomycosis using well diffusion (WD) testing: C. albicans (ATCC 90028) and 15 strains were compiled from Aleppo Hospital. The antifungal activity of thyme oil was determined in the form of inhibition zone using antifungal assay agar WD testing. In all experiments, the obtained results indicated that thyme oil has inhibitory effects on C. albicans (ATCC 90028) and some 15 strains. Results: This study showed that thyme oil was active against the tested C. albicans strains. Thyme oil was more effective against C. albicans compared to terbinafine. thyme oil may have potential for use in the development of clinically useful antifungal preparations. Conclusion: Thyme oil might be highly effective in the natural prevention treatment of onychomycosis.

Oxidative stress is one of the causative factors of many diseases. According to the pathophysiology, monocytes, macrophages, and normal white cells are produced in large quantities that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as cytokines that can stimulate cell and tissue damage. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants within the body. ROS (free radicals) are produced by normal cellular metabolism and interact with biomolecules such as protein, lipids, and DNA to cause cellular damage and are responsible for degenerative changes. These processes are responsible for causing many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. The agents responsible for this damage are reactive oxygen and nitrogen species resulting from various processes that destroy intracellular components such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. These agents can lead to necrotic cell death or apoptosis by activating specific intracellular signaling pathways.