Antifungal activity of volatile constituents of Eugenia dysenterica leaf oil

The essential oil from the hydrodistillation of Eugenia dysenterica leaves consisted mainly of beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene as the major sesquiterpene, while limonene and alpha-thujene were the major monoterpene hydrocarbons. The main oxygenated mono and sesquiterpene constituents were alpha-terpineol and P-caryophyllene oxide, respectively. The oil was investigated against eight strains of Candida albicans, 35 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, and two C. neoformans var, gattii isolated from HIV-infected individuals with candidosis or cryptococcal meningitis using the agar dilution method. Based on the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, the most significant results were obtained against Cryptococcus strains. It was observed that 22 strains were inhibited ata concentration of 250 mu g/ml, whereas four exhibited potent inhibition with MIC Values below 125 mu g/ml against 10(6) UFC/mI organisms. We found MICs greater than or equal to 3.12 mu g/ml for 91.6, 50 and 30% of all Cryptococcus strains in relation of amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.