EVALUATION OF THE ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF THE BIOCOMPOUND BASED ON MELALEUCA (Melaleuca alternifolia) AND CLOVE (Eugenia caryophyllata) ESSENTIAL OILS ON DIFFERENT Candida spp.

Abstract

Genus Candida primarily responsible for infections associated with fungemia. Toxicity of antifungals is observed in the treatment of candidiasis. Interest in herbal medicine has grown. Plant essential oils are less harmful offering better results than synthetic medicines. Essential oils Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) and Eugenia caryophyllata (clove) have antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Biocompound a product with essential oils, has as its main constituents melaleuca and clove. Registered at ANVISA as antiseptic and healing. Objective: to evaluate the antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of the Biocompound against the genus Candida. Disk diffusion tests showed no results. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration: Candida albicans ATCC 24433 (256 µg/ml) ketoconazole (0,80 µg/ml), Candida albicans ATCC 14053 (154,60 µg/ml) ketoconazole (0,31 µg/ml), Candida krusei (30,80 µg/ml) ml) ketoconazole (3,16 µg/ml) and Candida glabrata (26,30 µg/ml) ketoconazole (3,18 µg/ml). Cytotoxicity: Biocompound showed low toxicity, being 8,30 times lower than ketoconazole. Selectivity Index: best results against Candida glabrata the Biocompound presented a value 14,70 times greater than ketoconazole and Candida krusei Biocompound presented a selectivity index 12,44 times greater than ketoconazole. Conclusion: Biocompound was effective against the genus Candida, mainly against Candida glabrata and Candida krusei, strains resistant to current drugs. Biocompound is a promising treatment against Candida.