Synergistic activity of Pelargonium capitatum and Cymbopogon martini essential oils against C. albicans

Abstract

The antifungal activity of Pelargonium capitatum essential oil (PCEO) and Cymbopogon martini essential oil (CMEO) against C.albicans were evaluated. The main components of essential oils were β-cytronellol 58.81% and geraniol 83.94% in PCEO and CMEO, respectively. PCEO was more activity than CMEO for all C.albicans strains tested with values MIC₅₀ or MIC₉₀ of 780 µg/ml. PCEO used in combination with fluconazole or CMEO shows synergistic effect with FICI values ≤ 0.5. Moreover both essential oils are able to inhibit the major virulence factor of C.albicans as the germ tube formation at sub-inhibitory concentration of 195 µg/ml. In conclusion, it is possible to hypothesize that PCEO can be used in combination with fluconazole or CMEO. Further studies are in due course to confirm these results.

Keywords:

• Essential oil
• Pelargonium capitatum
• Cymbopogon martini
• Candida albicans
• antimycotic activity
• synergism
• germ tube

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.