Abstract

Background: Candida albicans is a member of the normal flora of the skin, mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Vaginal candidiasis remains a significant problem in women of childbearing age, majority of the cases are caused by C. albicans and recurrence is common in spite of topical treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop the antifungal agent from the medicinal herbs traditionally used in Korea.

Method: In this study, the essential oil of eucalyptus, cedar wood, clary sage, orange sweet and eucapytol were examined for antifungal activities against C. albicans.

Results:

1. Eucalyptus essential oil and eucapytol showed antifungal activity against C. albicans.

2. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Eucapytol against eight strains and standard strains was 12.5 μl/ml and 6.25 μl/ml against two strains.

3. MIC of eucapytol was 25 μl/ml against eight strains and 50 μl/ml against two.

Conclusion: Eucalyptus essential oil and eucalytol could be a candidate for a new antifungal agent for candidiasis and other fungal diseases.

Keywords

Eucalyptus oil Eucapytol Antifungal activity Candida albicans

KJMM 2009 September;14(3):127-132(6). Epub 2016 February 18
Copyright © 2009 by Korean Journal of Medical Mycology

Language

Korean/English

Author

Inwha Seong; Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University

Corresponding

Inwha Seong, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University. Tel: (02) 920-6167, Fax: (02) 923-3645, e-mail: inwha@korea.ac.kr

Publication history

Acknowledgements

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Inwha Seong

Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University

Since epub date 2016 February 18