Antimicrobial Activity the Essential Oil from Croton pluriglandulosus Carn. Leaves against Microorganisms of Clinical Interest

Multiresistant pathogens pose a serious threat to human health. The genus is one class of human pathogenic yeasts responsible for infections affecting healthy and immunocompromised patients. In this context, plant essential oils emerged as a future natural alternative to control the diseases caused by these pathogens. Based on that, the present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of essential oil from and understand the mechanism of action. Here, it highlighted antimicrobial activity and the mechanisms of action of the essential oil extracted from Carn.-Torres & Riina ( ) leaves on human pathogenic microorganisms in planktonic and biofilm lifestyles. In addition, for the first time, the oil composition was revealed by GC-MS analysis and the toxicity to human red blood cells (HRBC). Twenty-six chemical compounds were identified in , elemicin, bicyclogermacrene, caryophyllene, brevifolin, and 2,4,6-trimethoxy-styrene. Through hemolytic assay, it was shown that has no toxicity to human RBCs. At the concentration of 50 μg mL , did not show great antibacterial potential. However, promising data were found for and inhibiting by 89.3% and 80.7% of planktonic cell growth and 83.5% and 77.9% the biofilm formation, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action were elucidated by fluorescence. Scanning electron microscopy revealed damage to the cell membrane and pore formation, ROS overproduction, and induction of apoptosis in candida cells. Our results reinforce the potential of as an effective alternative molecule of pharmaceutical interest.