Effects of the essential oil of thymus vulgaris L. against cryptococcus neoformans
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Data
2016-08
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Editor
Ruy de Souza Lino Junior
Resumo
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast found in the environment, responsible for
causing of meningoencephalitis in patients with a compromised immune system. In Brazil,
cryptococcosis is the second cause of death among systemic mycoses. The limited efficacy of
the available antifungal drugs used in its treatment has encouraged the search for therapeutic
alternatives, such as medicinal plants. Thymus vulgaris, popularly known as thyme, is an
aromatic plant whose essential oil (EO) possesses antifungal properties. The aim of this study
was to assess the action of T. vulgaris EO on C. neoformans clinical isolates. This oil was
analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which showed that its main
components were thymol, ρ-cymene and linalool. Microdilution broth tests showed that this EO
was effective against fungal isolates, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging
from 32 to 128 μg/mL. In vitro interaction tests between this oil and fluconazole (FCZ) showed
no potentiation of the antifungal action of this drug. Its effect on mitochondrial metabolism
of fungal cells was also evaluated and results demonstrated alterations on the mitochondrial
enzyme activity of fungal cells only at concentrations >1,024 μg/mL. The results of the action
of this EO on human erythrocytes indicated that it has low cytotoxic activity at MIC values.
This investigation describes the antifungal action of T. vulgaris, showing its potential in the
development of alternatives in the treatment of C. neoformans.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Cryptococcus neoformans, Thymus vulgaris, Antifungal agents, Antifúngicos
Citação
NUNES, Reginaldo Teixeira; SILVA, Maria do Rosário Rodrigues; ABRÃO, Fernando Yano; FERNANDES, Orionalda de Fátima Lisboa; SÁ, Fabyola Amaral da Silva; SOUZA, Lúcia Kioko Hasimoto e. Effects of the essential oil of thymus vulgaris L. against cryptococcus neoformans. Revista de Patologia Tropical, Goiânia, v. 45, n. 3, p. 273-284, jul./set. 2016. Disponível em: <https://www.revistas.ufg.br/iptsp/article/view/43515/21783>.