Effect of essential oils prepared from Thai culinary herbs on sessile <i>Candida albicans</i> cultures

Abstract

Although medicinal herbs with fungicidaleffects have been ubiquitously employed in traditional medicine, such effects of culinary herbs and spices still have to be elucidated. Therefore, it is noteworthy to determine the antifungal efficacy of some edible herbs used in Thai cuisine against sessile Candida albicans cultures, and to inquire if they can be further utilized as naturally-derived antifungals. Fourteen essential oils extracted from Thai culinary herbs and spices were tested for their antifungal activity against C. albicans using the agar disk diffusion method followed by broth micro-dilution method for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration. The oils with potent antifungal effects against planktonic fungi were then assessed for their effect against sessile fungus (adherent organisms and established biofilm culture). MIC of the oils against sessile C. albicans was evaluated by 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide reduction assay. All selected culinary herbs and spices, except galangal, garlic, and turmeric, exhibited inhibitory effects on planktonic yeast cells.

Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) in Dentistry: A Review

“…Based upon these data, we conclude that cinnamon EO has strong antimicrobial effect against Candida spp. and moderate-to-weak effects against caries pathogens [ 7 , 60 , 61 , 62 ]. Still, the number of studies is low.…”

“…Natural products have strong antibacterial properties if their MIC is 500 µg/mL or less [ 60 ]. Hovijitra et al categorized the efficacy of EO as strong (MIC < 0.5 µL/mL or 0.05% ( v/v )), moderate (0.5 µL/mL ≤ MIC ≤ 1.0 µL/mL or 0.1% ( v/v )), and weak (MIC >1.0 µL/mL) [ 61 ]. Other researchers used the following classification of antimycotic activity based on the MIC: <100 μg/mL (good), 100–500 μg/mL (moderate), 500–1000 μg/mL (weak), and >1000 μg/mL (inactive) [ 62 ].…”

“…Even at low concentrations, C. zeylanicum EO has an inhibitory effect against C. albicans . The authors reported a MIC of 0.005% (0.05 µl/mL), an MFC of 0.01%, and a 90% reduction in bacterial biofilm at 0.039% [ 61 ]. A MIC <0.05 mg/mL for the methanolic extract of C. zeylanicum against C. albicans was reported in another study [ 78 ].…”

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity and efficacy of herbal oils and extracts in disinfection of gutta percha cones before obturation

“…Basil ( Ocimum basilicum L. ) is a popular culinary herb [ 32 ] and also used for many dental and oral products owing to its antimicrobial activity ( Bacillius cereus, B. subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, S. aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli [ E. coli ], E. faecalis ) [ 33 ], and antifungal activity against C. albicans [ 34 35 ]. These herbal extracts were used in the form of essential oils as they are a complex mixture of natural substances composed of terpenoids and phenylpropanoid molecules possessing many biological qualities.…”

Evaluation of antimicrobial potential of some spices from apiaceae sold in herbal shops

“…Plants, animals, and microorganisms represent broad sources of natural compounds with medicinal properties extensively investigated and employed in traditional medicine for many years [1,2]. Plants are used as dietary supplements and as drug substances; many of them are also used as culinary spices, flavoring agents, and colorants in foods [3].…”