Protective Activity of Geranium Oil and Its Component, Geraniol, in Combination with Vaginal Washing against Vaginal Candidiasis in Mice

Abstract

In order to evaluate an effective administration method of essential oils for vaginal candidiasis, efficacy of vaginal application of essential oils against murine experimental candidiasis was investigated. The effect on vaginal inflammation and Candida growth form was also studied. Vaginal candidiasis was established by intravaginal infection of C. albicans to estradiol-treated mice. These mice intravaginally received essential oils such as geranium and tea tree singly or in combination with vaginal washing. Vaginal administration of clotrimazole significantly decreased the number of viable C. albicans cells in the vaginal cavity by itself. In contrast, these essential oils did not lower the cell number. When application of geranium oil or geraniol was combined with vaginal washing, the cell number was decreased significantly. The myeloperoxidase activity assay exhibited the possibility that essential oils worked not only to reduce the viable cell number of C. albicans, but also to improve vaginal inflammation. The smear of vaginal washing suspension suggested that more yeast-form cells appeared in vaginal smears of these oil-treated mice than in control mice. In vitro study showed that a very low concentration (25 m mg/ml) of geranium oil and geraniol inhibited mycelial growth, but not yeast growth. Based on these findings, it is estimated that vaginal application of geranium oil or its main component, geraniol, suppressed Candida cell growth in the vagina and its local inflammation when combined with vaginal washing.

Rose geranium essential oil as a source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs

“…More recently, the efficacy of RGEO and geraniol was tested against vaginal candidiasis as well as vaginal inflammation and Candida growth form. The vaginal application of RGEO successfully suppressed Candida cell growth in the vagina and its local inflammation when combined with vaginal washing, demonstrating the protective effect of RGEO and its main monoterpene against vaginal inflammation in mice (25). …”

In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Essential Oil from the Seed of Anethum graveolens L. against Candida spp.

“…To allow optimal adhesion of essential oil and FCZ on the mucosal vagina, a gelatinous suspension of 1% CMC-Na was used as excipient to treat mice through the intravaginal route. Both 1% CMC-Na and 0.8% agar were used as excipients [20, 21]. On the basis of preliminary tests, 32-fold MIC of FCZ ( μ g/mL) was chosen as a reference treatment; likewise, 2-fold MIC (0.0652% v/v), 32-fold MIC (1% v/v), and 64-fold MIC of essential oil (2% v/v) were chosen as reference treatments.…”

Inhibition of Neutrophil Adhesion and Antimicrobial Activity by Diluted Hydrosol Prepared from <i>Rosa damascena</i>

“…We reported previously that essential oils suppressed Candida growth and improved the symptoms in a mouse model of mucosal candidiasis. [11][12][13][14] Essential oils also reduced the accumulation of inflammatory cells around the lesional area. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of rose water on C. albicans and MRSA, both of which cause skin and mucosal infections.…”

“…[11][12][13][14] As rose water contains small amounts of essential oil components, some of which are similar to the active components of geranium oil, rose water may suppress neutrophil function and have antimicrobial activity.…”