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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
Comparative approach of Voriconazole, Ciclopirox olamine, and Thymol against keratinolytic Fusarium incarnatum using
Maroua Khoukh1, Assia Houiat1, Chaymae Moubachir1
1Biotechnology, Environment, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Atlas, Fez BP1796, Morocco.
Abstract:
Fusarium species contribute to the development of onychomycosis, one of the most damaging nail diseases. This study aims to evaluate the anti-Fusarium potential of three agents: voriconazole (VRC), ciclopirox olamine (CPO), and thymol, across varied experimental methods, including standard Sabouraud medium, non-nutritive medium supplemented with horn powder, bovine horn slices, and human nail fragments. In the standard Sabouraud medium, 100% mycelial growth inhibition was achieved with VRC, CPO, and thymol at concentrations of 32 μg/mL, 64 μg/mL, and 250 μg/mL, respectively, corresponding to their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). These MICs were tested in a non-nutritive medium supplemented with horn powder, showing that VRC maintained the same antifungal activity. Thymol then reached 44.44% mycelial growth inhibition, while CPO inhibited mycelial growth by only 5.55%. Based on the MICs obtained in standard Sabouraud medium, we also tested MIC, MIC × 2, and MIC × 4 concentrations on bovine horn slices. At MIC × 4, VRC inhibited mycelial growth by 58.1%, followed by thymol, which inhibited mycelial growth by 43.98%, and CPO inhibited mycelial growth by 16.74%. These MIC × 4 concentrations were applied as treatments to human nail fragments. The kinetic test revealed that thymol reduced mycelial growth by 100% after just 2 h of treatment exposure, whereas VRC and CPO failed to reach complete inhibition in the same time window. These findings further demonstrate that the effectiveness of different antifungal drugs may vary depending on the experimental model employed, highlighting the importance of using complementary assays when evaluating potential treatments for onychomycosis.
Insights
This study evaluated antifungal agents voriconazole, ciclopirox olamine, and thymol against Fusarium species causing onychomycosis. Thymol demonstrated rapid and complete inhibition of nail fungus growth in human nail fragments, outperforming other agents in this model.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Onychomycosis is a challenging nail infection caused by Fusarium species.
- Evaluating antifungal efficacy requires diverse experimental models to mimic clinical conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the anti-Fusarium activity of voriconazole (VRC), ciclopirox olamine (CPO), and thymol.
- To compare the efficacy of these agents across various in vitro models, including nail-like substrates.
Main Methods:
- Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined in Sabouraud medium.
- Antifungal activity was tested on horn powder-supplemented medium, bovine horn slices, and human nail fragments.
- Kinetic assays were performed on human nail fragments to evaluate treatment speed.
Main Results:
- VRC, CPO, and thymol showed 100% inhibition in Sabouraud medium at specific MICs.
- In horn powder medium, VRC maintained efficacy, while thymol and CPO showed reduced activity.
- On human nail fragments, thymol achieved 100% growth reduction within 2 hours, surpassing VRC and CPO.
Conclusions:
- Antifungal drug efficacy for onychomycosis is highly dependent on the experimental model used.
- Thymol shows promising rapid-acting potential against Fusarium in nail-like environments.
- Complementary assays are crucial for accurate evaluation of onychomycosis treatments.
