Antimicrobial activity of Mentha piperita L. against Candida spp.

Authors

  • Claunencil de Fátima Pires Carretto UNESP/São José dos Campos
  • Juliana Campos Junqueira UNESP São José dos Campos
  • Rosilene Batista de Aguiar Almeida UNESP/São José dos Campos
  • Marcos Roberto Furlan Universidade de Taubaté/UNITAU
  • Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge UNESP / São José dos Campos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14295/bds.2010.v13i1/2.160

Keywords:

Mentha piperita, Candida, Plantas medicinais

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the effects of hydroalcoholic extract, infusion and essential oil of Mentha piperita L. on Candida spp. Hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil were evaluated regarding microbial activity against 50 strains of Candida albicans, 10 Candida glabrata, 10 Candida tropicalis, 8 Candida parapsilosis and 2 Candida krusei. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the hydroalcoholic extract was determined by the broth dilution method and the essential oil antimicrobial activity was determined by the agar diffusion test. The effect of infusion of Mentha piperita L. on the adherence of standard Candida strains to acrylic resin was also investigated. The results demonstrated that hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita L. showed fungistatic activity against strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. The essential oil showed greater inhibitory activity on strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. Infusion of Mentha piperita L. did not inhibit the adherence of Candida to acrylic resin. In conclusion, Mentha piperita L. presented greater antimicrobial activity against strains of C. albicans and C. tropicalis, but showed no effect on the adherence of these microorganisms to acrylic resin.

Author Biography

Juliana Campos Junqueira, UNESP São José dos Campos

Departamento de Biociências e Diagnóstico Bucal

Published

2011-08-05

Issue

Section

Clinical or Laboratorial Research Manuscript