Synergy between Essential Oils of Corymbia citriodora, Lavandula stricta, and Rosmarinus officinalis and Pure Volatile Compounds against Clinically Isolated Candida spp.

Abstract

Severe complications arise from fungal infections by Candida species. The antifungal properties of single and mixed essential oils (EOs) of Corymbia citriodora, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Lavandula stricta, as well as five pure components, against Candida species were explored. A total of 43 clinical Candida species were clinically isolated and identified as test subjects. The combination of L. stricta and R. officinalis oils mixture showed the highest activity, displayed from the inhibitory zones of 19.4 mm against Candida tropicalis (18K). The highest activity of citronellol with linalool mixtures was 19.4 mm in C. albicans (551). The highest activity of the combination of C. citriodora oil with camphor, linalool, and α-pinene mixture against C. parapsilosis (20K) was 21.9 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of C. citriodora oil combined with citronellol, linalool, and α-pinene against clinically isolated C. parapsilosis (20K), C. albicans (551), and C. tropicalis (18K) were 0.06, 0.24, and 0.98 μg/mL, respectively. Also, mixing these oils inhibited germ-tube formation in C. albicans as compared with the individual oil at the same concentration. The results emphasize the synergistic capabilities of mixtures as antifungal agents, presenting a promising path for creating new therapies from natural sources against Candida-based infections.