Antifungal Efficacy of Myrtus communis Essential Oils on Oral Candidiasis in Immunosupressed Rats

Characterization and application of medicinal plants essential oils may be useful in counteracting drug-resistant infections. To evaluate the antifungal efficacy of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) essential oils on oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed rats. The essential oil of myrtle was extracted by hydrodistillation method and its components and content were recognized by GC and GC-MS apparatuses. The MIC of essential oil and nystatin was determined by broth macrodilution procedures. Thirty five rats weighting 200 ± 20g was randomly arranged in 5 treatment groups including: (1) placebo group, (2) myrtle essential oil-treated group (2-fold MIC), (3) nystatin-treated group, (4) Non-immunosupressed-infected group, and (5) Immunosupressed-noninfected group. The strong pathogen was isolated from the vaginal secretion of a patient suffering from acute vaginitis. Infection level and therapeutic effects was evaluated by microbiological, histopathological methods and clinical examinations. Alpha-pinene, limonene, linalool, alpha-terpineol and linaleol acetate were main components of the essential oil. The MIC of the essential oil and nystatin was 2 mg/ml and 4µg/ml against Candida albicans, respectively. Microbiological and histopathological evaluations indicated that the essential oil of Myrtus communis had significant activity against C. albicans (p < 0.01). Of course, there was still limited area of infection in some region of mocusa in the back of tongues in which it can remain dormantly and result in illness appearing. The treatment by myrtle essential oil at concentration of 2 fold MIC was not sufficient to remove completely oral candidiasis in immunosupressed rats. Therefore, it should be evaluated the doses of essential oil more than 2-fold MIC in the formulation in order to the completely eradication of candidiasis.