Journal Article

Therapeutic Applications of Essential Oils from Native and Cultivated Ecuadorian Plants: Cutaneous Candidiasis and Dermal Anti-Inflammatory Activity

María Rincón, Lupe Carolina Espinoza, Lilian Sosa, Ana Calpena, María-José Fábrega, Mireia Mallandrich, Eduardo Valarezo, Núria Bozal, Laura Baldomà

2023

Overview

Essential oils are a complex mixture of aromatic substances whose pharmacological actions, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, have been widely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-Candida and dermal anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils from native and cultivated Ecuadorian plants. Essential oils from Bursera graveolens, Dacryodes peruviana, Mespilodaphne quixos, and Melaleuca armillaris were isolated by hydrodistillation and were characterized physically and chemically. Its tolerance was analyzed by in vitro and in vivo studies. The antifungal activity was studied against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida parapsilosis, whereas the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by a mouse ear edema model. The main compounds were limonene, α-phellandrene, (E)-methyl cinnamate, and 1,8-cineole, respectively. All essential oils showed high tolerability for skin application, antifungal activity against the three Candida strains, and anti-inflammatory efficacy by decreasing edema and overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Dacryodes peruviana essential oil showed the highest antifungal activity. On the other hand, Dacryodes peruviana and Melaleuca armillaris showed the greatest anti-inflammatory potential, decreasing edema by 53.3% and 65.25%, respectively, and inhibiting the overexpression of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17A, and IL-23. The results suggest that these essential oils could be used as alternative therapies in the treatment of both cutaneous candidiasis and dermal inflammation.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Animals / Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology / Antifungal Agents / Antifungal Agents - chemistry / Antioxidants / Biofilms / Bursera graveolens / Cancer / Candida / Candida albicans / Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Candida parapsilosis; skin inflammation; essential oil; Bursera graveolens; Dacryodes peruviana; Mespilodaphne quixos; Melaleuca armillaris / Candida glabrata / Candida parapsilosis / Candidiasi / Candidiasis / Candidiasis - drug therapy / Candidiasis - microbiology / Caspofungin / Chromatography / Cytokines / Cytotoxicity / Ecuador / Essences and essential oils / Essences and essential oils industry / essential oil / Essential oils / Fenoprofen / Flowers & plants / Fungal infections / Health aspects / Hydrocarbons / Inflamació / Inflammation / Medical equipment / Mice / Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Mortality / Neutrophils / Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs / Oils & fats / Oils, Volatile / Oils, Volatile - chemistry / Olis essencials / Organic chemistry / Physical properties / Plant Oils / Plant Oils - chemistry / Psoriasis / QD241-441 / Sea level / Skin / skin inflammation / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF