Anti-Candida albicans activity, cytotoxicity and interaction with antifungal drugs of essential oils and extracts from aromatic and medicinal plants

Objective: To determine anti-Candida albicans activity, cytotoxicity and drug interaction of essential oils and extracts from plants collected in Colombia. Materials and methods: The antifungal activity was evaluated following the AFST-EUCAST protocol. With most active samples, the inhibition of the formation of germ tubes and budding, the in vitro pharmacodynamics, using time-kill assays, and the interaction with itraconazole and amphotericin B following the chequerboard technique were evaluated. The cytotoxicity assay for all samples was done using MTT. Results: Strong activity in 17.57% of the samples was found. The lowest MIC values were obtained with Piper bredemeyeri Jacq and Lippia origanoides Kunth (B) oils and Morinda royoc L extract. The three samples inhibited the formation of germ tubes and budding. P. bredemeyeri Jacq oil and M. royoc L extract samples showed fungicidal activity at 2xMIC. A synergistic effect was obtained with the combination of P. bredemeyeri Jacq oil and itraconazole, but not for the combination with amphotericin B. Active samples against C. albicans were not cytotoxic on Vero cells ATCC CCL-81, excluding P. bredemeyeri Jacq oil. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Colombian medicinal and aromatic plants represent an untapped source of compounds with anti-C. albicans activity that could be a resource in the development of new therapeutic natural products.