Coriandrum sativum L. (Coriander) Essential Oil: Antifungal Activity and Mode of Action on Candida spp., and Molecular Targets Affected in Human Whole-Genome Expression

candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the oral cavity with increasingly worldwide prevalence and incidence Novel specifically-targeted strategies to manage this ailment have been proposed using essential oils CEO) known to have antifungal properties. In this study, we aim to investigate the antifungal activity and mode of action of the EO from Coriandrum sativurn L (coriander) leaves on Candida spp. In addition detected the molecular targets affected in who genorne expression in human cells. The EO phytochernical profile indicates monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as components, which are likely to negatively impact the viability of yeast cells. There seems to be a synergistic activity of EO chemical compounds as their isolation into fractions led to a decreased antimicrobial effect. C. sativum EO may bind membrane ergosterol, increasing ionic permeability and causing membrane damage leading to cell death, but it does not on cell wall biosynthesis-related pathways. This mode of action is illustrated by photomicrographs showing disruption in caused by the EO at varied concentrations. The EO also inhibited Candida biofilm adherence to polystyrene substrate at low concentrations, and decreased the proteolytic activity of Candida albicans at mini inhibitory concentration. Finally, the EO and its selected active fraction had low cytotoxicity on human cells, mechanisms affecting gene expression in pathways involving chernokines and MAP-kinase (proliferation/apoptosis), as adhesion proteins. These findings highlight the potential antifungal activity of the EO from C. sativum leaves and suggest avenues for future translational toxicological research.