Dynamized Aloysia Polystachya (Griseb.) Essential Oil: A Promising Antimicrobial Product

Abstract

Background Compounds from vegetal matter have therapeutic potential to control highly prevalent microorganisms that are resistant to commonly used antimicrobial drugs. Dynamization of compounds can either maintain or improve their therapeutic effects, and make their use safer, especially those compounds whose therapeutic dose is close to the toxic limit. Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) stands out among aromatic plants with antimicrobial potential. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of dynamized and crude forms of A. polystachya essential oil against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods Essential oil was extracted from A. polystachya dry leaves, solubilized, and dynamized at 1 cH potency as recommended by the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, E. coli and S. aureus of the samples was assayed using the plate microdilution method. Results Dynamized A. polystachya essential oil at the concentration of 1 μg/mL inhibited the growth of all the microbial species analyzed. The minimum inhibitory concentration of dynamized essential oil was smaller than crude essential oil for S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. Conclusion It is reported for the first time that A. polystachya dynamized essential oil can effectively suppress microbial growth, and it is a promising adjuvant to treat infections with pathogenic S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans.

Women in Homeopathy

“…2,3 An international survey on the uptake and prevalence of the use of repertory software among homeopathy practitioners is the topic of our third article. 4 The ever-eclectic nature of homeopathy research is reflected in the remaining papers: an RCT on homeopathic products as a complementary dietary additive for pigs 5 ; an in-vitro experiment on the antimicrobial activity of dynamised essential oil of the medicinal plant Aloysia polystachya 6 ; and the laboratory development of a method to immobilise solvatochromic dyes on cellulose films that will refine the investigation of dye-potency interactions. 7 The issue is suitably completed by a clinical case report, from an allfemale group of authors, detailing the effective use of homeopathy to treat a woman with multiple chronic conditions.…”