Thymus vulgaris essential oil and thymol inhibit biofilms and interact synergistically with antifungal drugs against drug resistant strains of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2019Source: Journal de Mycologie MédicaleAuthor(s): Huma Jafri, Iqbal AhmadABSTRACTRole of biofilm in disease development and enhance tolerance to antifungal drugs among Candida species has necessitated search for new anti-fungal treatment strategy. Interference in pathogenic biofilm development by new antifungal compounds is considered as an attractive anti-infective strategy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate Thymus vulgaris essential oil and its major active compound, thymol for their potential to inhibit and eradicate biofilms alone and in combination with antifungal drugs against Candida spp. with especial reference to Candida tropicalis.Anti-candidal efficacy of T. vulgaris and thymol in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was first determined to select the sub-MICs against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Biofilm formation in the presence and absence of test agents was determined in 96-well microtiter plate by XTT reduction assay and effect of essential oils at sub-MICs of the test agents on biofilm development on glass surface was analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Synergistic interaction between essential oils and antifungal drugs were studied by checkerboard method.Effect of sub-MIC of T. vulgaris (0.5 × MIC) and thymol (0.5 × MIC) on biofilm formation showed a significant reduction (p <0.05) in biofilms. Light microscopy and SEM studies revealed disaggregation and d...
Source: Journal of Medical Mycology - Category: Biology Source Type: research