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In vitro Antifungal Activity of Baccharis trimera Less (DC) Essential Oil against Dermatophytes
Abstract
Purpose: To identify the main components of the essential oil (EO) of Baccharis trimera Less and investigate their in vitro antifungal activity against seven fungal strains that cause onychomycosis.
Methods: The chemical composition of EO was determined using gas chromatography, and its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), and antifungal activity were compared with those of terbinafine and ketoconazole. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate morphological changes in the strains of interest.
Results: Twenty compounds, with β-pinene being the major constituent (23.4 %), were identified in EO. EO exhibited fungicide potential, with MFC values in the range of 0.06 to 125 μg mL−1, which were lower than those of the reference drugs against Trichophyton rubrum CCT 5507 URM1666 and Microsporum canis ATCC 32903. MIC range for the compounds was from 0.03 to 125 μg mL−1 for five strains of the fungi evaluated. For Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 11481 and Epidermophyton floccosum CCFIOC 3757, MIC was ≥ 1000 μg mL−1. Flattening, distortions, and shrinkage were observed in the SEM images of structures of the five fungal species that were subjected to the action of the EO.
Conclusion: The results indicate that EO has antifungal activity against filamentous fungi and may be developed as an alternative for the treatment of onychomycosis.
Keywords: Baccharis trimera, Fungi, Onychomycosis, Dermatophytes, Antifungal