Ocular infection–Fungal isolates and their sensitivity to essential oils of selected herbals

P.Sivamani; B.Asha Nancy; M. Mary Queen; R.V.Kalaimathi; C.Kandeepan

Volume : III, Issue : IX, September - 2014

Ocular infection–Fungal isolates and their sensitivity to essential oils of selected herbals

P. Sivamani, B. Asha Nancy, M. Mary Queen, R. V. Kalaimathi, C. Kandeepan

Abstract :

Ocular microbiology remains an applied science Many pathogens and opportunistic pathogenic agents are increasingly encountered in ocular infections. Fungi isolated from ocular infections were tested fortheir sensitivity to essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon martinii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha piperita,Pelarogonium graveolens, and Vitex negundo. In agar well diffusion method the selected essential oils were effective against all forms such as, yeastlike fungi and molds and mostly comparable to the standard reference antifungal Amphotericin –B. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ofC. citratus and C.martiniiwere effective but to the least level, when compared with the reference drug. The MIC of C.zeylanicumwas best and very muchcomparable to the reference drug. The MIC of R.officinaliswas variable from more effective to least effective against different test organisms. The MIC ofM. piperita was effective but to the least level (1000 μg/ml), when compared with the reference drug. The MIC of P.graveolens, was effective but to the leastlevel (500 μg/ml), when compared with the reference drug. The MIC of Vitex negundo was effective but to the least level (500 μg/ml), when compared withthe reference drug.The results for minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were similar to MIC results, but in MBC confirmation was made by the absenceof visible growth in culture media. The antifungal activity is attributed to the components of essential oils, which mostly interferes with the cell memanestructure and function. According to the results of this study, the essential oil or their ethanol extract of those essential oils may be suggested as a newpotential source of natural antimicrobial for the prevention, treatment and control of fungal diseases in various patients, particularly, for ocular patients