Antifungal activity of volatile constituents of Eugenia dysenterica leaf oil

The essential oil from the hydrodistillation of Eugenia dysenterica leaves consisted mainly of beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene as the major sesq uiterpene, while limonene and alpha-thujene were the major monoterpene hydr ocarbons. The main oxygenated mono and sesquiterpene constituents were alph a-terpineol and P-caryophyllene oxide, respectively. The oil was investigat ed against eight strains of Candida albicans, 35 strains of Cryptococcus ne oformans var. neoformans, and two C. neoformans var, gattii isolated from H IV-infected individuals with candidosis or cryptococcal meningitis using th e agar dilution method. Based on the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, the most significant results were obtained against Cryptococcus st rains. It was observed that 22 strains were inhibited ata concentration of 250 mu g/ml, whereas four exhibited potent inhibition with MIC Values below 125 mu g/ml against 10(6) UFC/mI organisms. We found MICs greater than or equal to 3.12 mu g/ml for 91.6, 50 and 30% of all Cryptococcus strains in r elation of amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.