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Susceptibility of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans to Thyme Essential Oil
Najla A Alshaikh1, Kahkashan Perveen1
1Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Candida spp. is the most common microbial pathogen in fungal infections. There has been a tremendous increase in cases of candidiasis, especially among critically ill non-neutropenic patients. Candida albicans' isolates were procured from the Prince Sultan Military Hospital, Riyadh, KSA. The isolates were characterized for their identification using CHROMagar, carbohydrate metabolism, germ tube formation, and RAPD-PCR techniques. The essential oil of Thymus vulgaris was obtained by hydro-distillation and characterized to decipher the major bioactive phytoconstituents. The antifungal activity of the thyme essential oil (TEO) was evaluated against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates. The major phytocomponents identified by GC/MS were thymol (68.1%) followed by γ-terpinene (8.9%), cymol (7.7%), caryophyllene (1.1%), linalool (1.4%). The TEO successfully reduced the growth of C. albicans isolates. At very low doses, the TEO proved to be fungi static and fungicidal. TEO also effectively inhibited the germ tube formation and budging of fungal pathogens. The time kill assays have shown that TEO was more effective against drug resistant clinical isolates than fluconazole. This study provides an array of experimental evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of TEO against the drug-resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans. The findings may be used in the development of a new antifungal agent accordingly.
Insights
Thyme essential oil effectively combats fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans, inhibiting growth and germ tube formation. This natural compound shows promise as a new antifungal agent against drug-resistant fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Candida spp. are leading causes of fungal infections, with rising candidiasis cases in critically ill patients.
- Fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans necessitates the development of alternative antifungal therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antifungal activity of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TEO) against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans.
- To identify the key bioactive compounds in TEO responsible for its antifungal effects.
Main Methods:
- Candida albicans isolates were identified using CHROMagar, carbohydrate metabolism, germ tube formation, and RAPD-PCR.
- Thyme essential oil (TEO) was extracted via hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC/MS.
- Antifungal activity, including growth inhibition, germ tube inhibition, and time-kill assays, was assessed against clinical isolates.
Main Results:
- GC/MS analysis revealed thymol (68.1%) as the major component of TEO.
- TEO demonstrated significant antifungal activity, inhibiting Candida albicans growth at low concentrations.
- TEO was effective in preventing germ tube formation and was superior to fluconazole in time-kill assays against resistant isolates.
Conclusions:
- Thymus vulgaris essential oil exhibits potent antifungal properties against drug-resistant Candida albicans.
- The high thymol content contributes to TEO's efficacy.
- TEO represents a potential therapeutic candidate for developing novel antifungal treatments.
