In Vitro Activity of Tea Tree Oil Vaginal Suppositories against Candida spp. and Probiotic Vaginal Microbiota

Abstract

The aim of this work is to evaluate the in vitro microbicidal activity of vaginal suppositories (VS) containing tea tree oil (TTO-VS) towards Candida spp. and vaginal probiotics. A total of 20 Candida spp. strains, taken from patients with vaginitis and from an established type collection, including reference strains, were analysed by using the CLSI microdilution method. To study the action of VS towards the beneficial vaginal microbiota, the sensitivity of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (DSM 10140) and Lactobacillus spp. (Lactobacillus casei R-215 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R-52) was tested. Both TTO-VS and TTO showed fungicidal activity against all strains of Candida spp. whereas placebo-VS or the Aloe gel used as controls were ineffective. The study of fractional fungicidal concentrations (FFC) showed synergistic interaction with the association between Amphotericin B and TTO (0.25 to 0.08 µg/ml, respectively) against Candida albicans. Instead, the probiotics were only affected by TTO concentration ≥ 4% v/v, while, at concentrations < 2% v/v, they remained viable. TTO-VS exhibits, in vitro, a selective fungicidal action, slightly affecting only the Bifidobacteriun animalis strain growth belonging to the vaginal microbiota. In vivo studies are needed to confirm the efficacy to prevent acute or recurrent vaginal candidiasis.

Origanum vulgare essential oil affects pathogens causing vaginal infections

“…), the possible use of this EO in routine gynaecological use could be aimed at incorporation of main constituents of oregano oil as an integral part of the following traditional herbal medicinal products such as vaginalettes and vaginal tablets, vaginal creams, a vaginal douche or applied EO dilution to the tampon for a shorter period of time (di Vito et al . ).…”

“…Based on the presented results, the EO of O. vulgare could be used in a treatment of gynaecological infections caused by some strains of E. coli, S. aureus, P. mirabilis and C. albicans. Since the use of plant-derived compounds in the treatment of genital infections represents an additional therapy on the increase (Palmeira de Oliveira et al 2009), the possible use of this EO in routine gynaecological use could be aimed at incorporation of main constituents of oregano oil as an integral part of the following traditional herbal medicinal products such as vaginalettes and vaginal tablets, vaginal creams, a vaginal douche or applied EO dilution to the tampon for a shorter period of time (di Vito et al 2015).…”

Anti‐Dermatophyte and Anti‐Malassezia Activity of Extracts Rich in Polymeric Flavan‐3‐ols Obtained from Vitis vinifera Seeds

“…Plants are important source of potentially antifungal agents and could represent a valuable alternative to synthetic drugs. In the last decades, essential oils have been widely studied and used as antifungal agents for topical treatments (Di Vito et al ., ; Flores et al ., ; Khosravi et al ., ). Plant polyphenols demonstrated several potential healthy properties on humans, mainly as antioxidant, antiallergic, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, renoprotective, and antimicrobial (Xia et al, ; Daglia, ; Williamson and Manach, ).…”

The Impact of Green Tea Supplementation on Anthropometric Indices and Inflammatory Cytokines in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…The major contribution of the health-promoting effects of green tea is associated with its polyphenol content (Sano et al, 2001). Enhancement of immune system function (Khan et al, 2016), antibacterial activity (Di Vito et al, 2015), antineoplastic (Fujiki et al, 2015;Pedro et al, 2016), anti-inflammatory (Dona et al, 2003), antioxidative (Osada et al, 2001), antihyperlipidemic potentials (Raederstorff et al, 2003;Mahmoud et al, 2016), and protective effect over cardiovascular disease (Sueoka et al, 2001) are some of the health benefits of consuming green tea. Also green tea has been considered as a thermogenic plant for weight loss (Stohs and Badmaev, 2016).…”