Antifungal and Modulatory Activity of Lemon Balm (Lippia alba (MILL.) N. E. BROWN) Essential Oil

Abstract

Fungal diseases and the progressive development of resistance are a challenge. In this context, Lippia alba (lemon balm) is a species used in folk medicine, being described with antimicrobial potential. The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal activity and modulating effect of the essential oil of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown leaves (LaEO). The antifungal activity of LaEO on eight Candida strains was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC), minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC), minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) and time-kill. The checkerboard technique was used to determine the modulating effect of LaEO on antifungal activity. The results indicate the presence of 11 constituents, with a predominance of carvone (58.15%) and limonene (25.37%). LaEO was able to inhibit the growth of all tested microorganisms, with MIC and MLC ranging from 0.078 to 1.25 mg/mL and MBIC and MBEC ranging from 0.156 to 5 mg/mL. The time-kill assay showed that LaEO was able to eliminate the strains after two hours of exposure and the best association was observed for the combination of LaEO and ketoconazole. The results of the study indicate that LaEO has excellent antifungal activity with potential biotechnological application.

Effects of Coleus amboinicus L. Essential Oil and Ethanolic Extracts on Planktonic Cells and Biofilm Formation of Microsporum canis Isolated from Feline Dermatophytosis

“…The remaining dye was removed, and the biofilms were washed with PBS to remove any excess dye. After drying for another 10 min, the crystal violet that had accumulated in the biofilm cells was decolorized using 150 μL of 33% acetic acid for 30 s. Finally, each solution was transferred to a new plate, and the optical density was measured immediately at 590 nm using the BIOTEK ELx808 spectrophotometer (BIOTEK, Winooski, VT, USA) [ 87 ].…”

“…“OD” refers to the optical density of the treated biofilm solution. Biofilm formation ability was classified as none (OD ≤ ODc), weak (ODc < OD ≤ 2× ODc), moderate (2× ODc < OD ≤ 4× ODc), or strong (4× ODc < OD) [ 87 ].…”

Effect of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown Essential Oil on the Human Umbilical Artery

“…It is popularly known as lemon herb balm, Brazilian lemon balm, False-Melissa, Carmelite lemon balm, common lemon balm tea, field lemon balm and bush matgrass, among others [ 3 , 4 ]. The essential oil of this species is described as antibacterial [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], antifungal [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ], anxiolytic, anticonvulsant [ 12 , 13 ], anesthetic [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], and smooth muscle relaxant [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Moreover, in folk medicine, this species is used to control blood pressure, as a calmant, and to treat respiratory diseases [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Bioprospecting of Wild Botanicals against Alternaria Leaf Blight of Radish and their Phytochemical Profiling by GC-MS

“…In vivo studies of Lippia alba (12.5%) were found to have disease incidence and percent disease index of 38.03% and 28.16%, with the disease reduction of 60.44%. Sabaly et al (2023) reported L. alba oil was the most effective with total clearance of A. avus on PDA and the L. alba oil could be used safely as an effective protector in groundnuts against A. avus Sales et al (2022). reported the antifungal activity of Lippia alba essential oil against eight Candida strains.…”