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Planta Med 2024; 90(02): 111-125
DOI: 10.1055/a-2196-2087
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers

Synergism Between Essential Oils and Evaluation of Their Activities with a Focus on Malassezia furfur Control

Fábio Cassola 
1   Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
2   Research Center of Chemical, Biological and Agriculture, Paulínia, Brazil
,
Nedy Ramírez
1   Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
2   Research Center of Chemical, Biological and Agriculture, Paulínia, Brazil
,
Guilherme Ribeiro
3   Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
,
Lucas Henrique Domingos da Silva 
4   Mutagenesis Laboratory, University of Araraquara, Araraquara, Brazil
,
Alessandra Gambero
5   Life Sciences Center, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
,
Adriana da Silva Santos de Oliveira 
2   Research Center of Chemical, Biological and Agriculture, Paulínia, Brazil
,
Pedro Manoel Mendes de Moraes Vieira
3   Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
,
Flávia Aparecida Resende Nogueira 
4   Mutagenesis Laboratory, University of Araraquara, Araraquara, Brazil
,
Marta Cristina Teixeira Duarte
2   Research Center of Chemical, Biological and Agriculture, Paulínia, Brazil
› Author AffiliationsThis work was carried out with the support of the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001 (1806495; 88882.435476/2019-01) and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) (2021/10544-4). We are also thankful for the access to equipment and the assistance provided by the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LME/UNICAMP).
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Abstract

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by Malassezia yeast species that affects the regions of the body where the sebaceous glands are present. The combined use of different essential oils (EOs) can increase their spectrum of action. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the action of EOs alone and in combination with each other on M. furfur, in planktonic and biofilm form, and their anti-inflammatory and mutagenic potential, in addition to the effects on the viability of cells lines. Of the 40 evaluated EOs, 22 showed activity against M. furfur at 0.5 – 2.0 mg/mL concentrations. Among the most active species, a blend of essential oils (BEOs) composed of Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Will. Watson (MIC = 0.5 mg/mL) and Mentha × piperita L. (MIC = 1.0 mg/mL) was selected, which showed a synergistic effect against yeast when evaluated through the checkerboard assay. The fungicidal activity was maintained by the addition of anti-inflammatory oil from Varronia curassavica Jacq. to BEOs. The BEOs also showed activity in the inhibition of biofilm formation and in the eradication of the biofilm formed by M. furfur, being superior to the action of fluconazole. Furthermore, it did not show mutagenic potential and did not interfere with the cell viability of both evaluated cell lines (HaCaT and BMDMs). TNF-α levels were reduced only by C. martini; however, this property was maintained when evaluating BEOs. BEOs had no effect on IL-8 levels. Thus, the BEOs may be indicated for alternative treatments against seborrheic dermatitis.

Key words

Poaceae - Lamiaceae - Boraginaceae - Cymbopogon martini - Mentha × piperita - Varronia curassavica

Supporting Information

    Tables containing the chemical composition, yield, the major compounds and relative percentage in EOs of some species, the method of EOs dilution, as well the graphs of inhibition and eradication of M. furfur biofilm formation by A. saturejoides, C. articulatus, E. uniflora, and S. aromaticum EOs, are available as Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 07 May 2023

Accepted after revision: 16 October 2023

Article published online:
07 November 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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