Anti-Candida Activity of Bursera morelensis Ramirez Essential Oil and Two Compounds, α-Pinene and γ-Terpinene-An In Vitro Study

The candidiasis caused by is a public health problem. The abuse of antifungals has contributed to the development of resistance. has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities. In this work the activity of the essential oil of was evaluated and for its two pure compounds with analysis of the different mechanisms of pathogenesis important for . The essential oil was obtained by the hydro-distillation method and analyzed using GC-MS. The anti- activity was compared between to essential oil, α-Pinene and γ-Terpinene. GC-MS of the essential oil demonstrated the presence of 13 compounds. The essential oil showed antifungal activity against four strains. The most sensitive strain was 14065 (MFC 2.0 mg/mL and MIC 0.125 mg/mL) with α-Pinene and γ-Terpinene having MFCs of 4.0 and 16.0 mg/mL respectively. The essential oil inhibited the growth of the germ tube in 87.94% (8.0 mg/mL). Furthermore, it was observed that the essential oil diminishes the transcription of the gene INT1. This work provides evidence that confirms the anti- activity of the essential oil and its effect on the growth of the germ tube and transcription of the gene INT1.