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. 2018 Aug 1;13(8):e0200902.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200902. eCollection 2018.

Elucidation of the synergistic action of Mentha Piperita essential oil with common antimicrobials

Antonio Rosato  1 , Alessia Carocci  1 , Alessia Catalano  1 , Maria Lisa Clodoveo  2 , Carlo Franchini  1 , Filomena Corbo  1 , Giuseppe Gerardo Carbonara  1 , Antonio Carrieri  1 , Giuseppe Fracchiolla  1
Affiliations

Elucidation of the synergistic action of Mentha Piperita essential oil with common antimicrobials

Antonio Rosato et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Mentha piperita L. essential oil (EO) is employed for external use as antipruritic, astringent, rubefacient and antiseptic. Several studies demonstrated its significant antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. The aim of this work is the study of the synergistic effects of M. piperita EO with antibacterials and antifungals that are widely available and currently prescribed in therapies against infections. The observed strong synergy may constitute a potential new approach to counter the increasing phenomenon of multidrug resistant bacteria and fungi. In vitro efficacy of the association M. piperita EO/drugs was evaluated against a large panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeast strains. The antimicrobial effects were studied by checkerboard microdilution method. The synergistic effect of M. piperita EO with gentamicin resulted in a strong growth inhibition for all the bacterial species under study. The synergistic effect observed for M. piperita EO and antifungals was less pronounced.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Isobole curves revealing the synergistic effect of Mentha piperita EO with gentamicin in inhibiting four bacterial strains.
◇ P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, □ E. faecalis ATCC 29212, △ K.pneuomoniae ATCC 13883, ○ B.cereus ATCC 10876.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Isobole curves revealing the synergistic effect of Mentha piperita EO with gentamicin in inhibiting four bacterial strains.
Δ E. coli ATCC 25922, ✳ S. aureus ATCC 29213, ◇ B. subtilis ATCC 6633, □ S. aureus ATCC 6538P.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Isobole curves revealing the synergistic effect of Mentha piperita EO with miconazole in inhibiting three yeast strains.
□ Candida albicans ATCC 90028, × Candida krusei, ◇ Candida albicans ATCC 10231.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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