Antifungal Activity of Eugenol and its Association with Nystatin on Candida albicans

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the anti-Candida effect of eugenol and its antimicrobial interaction with nystatin. Material and Methods: The antimicrobial potential was assessed by microdilution technique (M27A3 reference method), by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against C. albicans (ATCC 90028). The possible action of eugenol on the fungal cell wall was evaluated with the assistance of the osmotic protector sorbitol (0.8 M). The antimicrobial interaction with nystatin was assessed through the checkerboard method. All tests were performed in triplicate. Results: All groups showed reductions in PI and GBI values and improvements in oral health knowledge, but IG1 and IG2 showed statistically significant differences in these variables compared to CG. Conclusion: The eugenol has antifungal activity against C. albicans and its mechanism of action is probably not related to damage to the fungal cell wall. Association between eugenol and nystatin was not found to be an advantageous possibility for growth inhibition of C. albican.