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Abstract
In this study, the antibiofilm activity of essential oil compounds eugenol and thymol alone and in combination with fluconazole and vancomycin against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus pre-formed mixed biofilms was investigated. Strong biofilm forming strains of C. albicans (CAJ-01 and CAJ-12) and S. aureus MTCC3160 were selected for this study. Sessile minimum inhibitory concentration (SMIC) of eugenol and thymol was increased only 2-4 folds against single and mixed biofilm cells. However, the SMIC of the antimicrobial drugs was increased several folds. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) study highlighted the synergy between phytocompounds and antimicrobial drugs (fluconazole and vancomycin) against single and mixed biofilms. Single and mixed biofilm cells were eradicated at lower doses of the phytocompounds and antimicrobial drugs in combination treatment. The highest synergy recorded between thymol and vancomycin with FICI value of 0.125 against C. albicans (CAJ-01 and CAJ-12) and S. aureus MTCC3160 mixed biofilms. Scanning electron microscopy studies also displayed a prominent effect on the morphology of the Candida and bacterial biofilm cells at 3.25 μg/ml concentration of thymol in a combination approach. The synergy of phytocompounds with antimicrobial drugs highlights the promising potential of these agents to be used in combinational anti-infective therapy to combat single and mixed biofilms associated infections.