Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Apr 29;76(11-12):443-450.
doi: 10.1515/znc-2021-0002. Print 2021 Nov 25.

Oregano essential oil inhibits Candida spp. biofilms

Mayram Hacioglu  1 , Ozlem Oyardi  1 , Alpcan Kirinti  1
Affiliations

Oregano essential oil inhibits Candida spp. biofilms

Mayram Hacioglu et al. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. .

Abstract

Candida spp. can form biofilms on mucosal surfaces and epithelial cells as well as on devices implanted in the body such as catheters and dentures, which are thought to underlie the most recalcitrant infections. It was aimed to show antifungal and antibiofilm activities of oregano oil (Origanum onites). The antifungal activities of some essential oils were investigated against C. spp. and among them, oregano oil was found to be the most effective oil and further biofilm studies were conducted with it. Oregano oil inhibited biofilm adhesion and formation of C. spp. and mature biofilms and also displayed the ability to reduce biofilm formation when they were allowed to form on surfaces previously coated with oil (up to 50% inhibition rates). In addition, oregano oil was found to be effective against dual biofilms of Candida albicans + Staphyloccocus aureus at different concentrations. This study suggests that O. onites essential oil has useful antibiofilm effects against C. spp. The inhibitory effects of O. onites essential oil, against C. spp., were demonstrated for the first time. It also had antifungal effect on biofilm formation and established biofilm even at MIC level.

Keywords: Candida spp.; Origanum onites; biofilm; essential oil; oregano.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Lohse, MB, Gulati, M, Craik, CS, Johnson, AD, Nobile, CJ. Combination of antifungal drugs and protease inhibitors prevent Candida albicans biofilm formation and disrupt mature biofilms. Front Microbiol 2020;11:1027.
    1. Palmeira-de-Oliveira, A, Gaspar, C, Palmeira-de-Oliveira, R, Silva-Dias, A, Salgueiro, L, Cavaleiro, C, et al.. The anti-Candida activity of Thymbra capitata essential oil: effect upon pre-formed biofilm. J Ethnopharmacol 2012;140:379–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.029.
    1. Mah, TF, O’Toole, GA. Mechanisms of biofilm resistance to antimicrobial agents. Trends Microbiol 2001;9:34–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0966-842x(00)01913-2.
    1. Stewart, PS, Costerton, JW. Antibiotic resistance of bacteria in biofilms. Lancet 2001;358:135–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(01)05321-1.
    1. Dongari-Bagtzoglou, A, Kashleva, H, Dwivedi, P, Diaz, P, Vasilakos, J. Characterization of mucosal Candida albicans biofilms. PloS One 2009;4:e7967. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0007967.

LinkOut - more resources