Antifungal activity of the lemongrass oil and citral against Candida spp

Braz J Infect Dis. 2008 Feb;12(1):63-6. doi: 10.1590/s1413-86702008000100014.

Abstract

Superficial mycoses of the skin are among the most common dermatological infections, and causative organisms include dermatophytic, yeasts, and non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi. The treatment is limited, for many reasons, and new drugs are necessary. Numerous essential oils have been tested for both in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity and some pose much potential as antifungal agents. By using disk diffusion assay, we evaluated the antifungal activity of lemongrass oil and citral against yeasts of Candida species (Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis). This study showed that lemongrass oil and citral have a potent in vitro activity against Candida spp.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida / classification
  • Candida / drug effects*
  • Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Terpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Monoterpenes
  • Plant Oils
  • Terpenes
  • lemongrass oil
  • citral