ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF Origanum syriacum L. ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST Candida spp.

The infections caused by Candida species have been reported to cause serious life-threatening infections. Because the increased drug resistance among candida spp., new drug researches are intensively carried out. Origanum syriacum L. is a valuable medicinal plant in terms of its components. The aim of this study was to investigate components and the antifungal activity of Origanum syriacum L. essential oils on the growth of Candida spp. By GC-MS was highlighted that thymol (42,18 %), carvacrol (33,95 %), cymene (8,87 %) and gamma-terpinene (8,21 %) are the main components. Antifungal activity of the essential oils of Origanum syriacum L. was evaluated by microdilution method. The most notable activity was obtained against C. dubliniensis, C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. MIC values were found to be 15.6 C. for C. dubliniensis and 31.2 mu g/ml for C. parapsilosis and C. albicans. MIC values against C. glabrata, C. kern., C. intermedia were found to be 62.5, MIC values for C. krusei and C. glabrata were 125 mu g/ml. The highest activity in terms of MBC values in the study was obtained against C. intermedia and C. parapsilosis (62.5 mu g/ml). Our results are particularly promising to have significant activity against C. dubliniensis, C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. Origanum syriacum L. essential oils, which were also effective against non-albicans Candida species, may be a new hope for the treatment of candida infections.