Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the essential oil of
Origanum vulgare
Linnaeus (Lamiaceae) on the
growth of
Sporothrix schenckii
and
Sporothrix brasiliensis
.
Methods: The chemical composition of the essential oil was investigated by gas chromatography/flame
ionization detector (GC-FID). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal
concentration (MFC) were determined by broth micro-dilution method. Scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) was also performed to reveal morphological alterations in
Sporothrix
spp. cells.
Results: The major components of the essential oil were γ-terpinene (30.5 %), carvacrol (15.7 %) and
4-terpineol (13.0 %). γ-Terpinene showed potential antifungal activity with MIC ranging from 62.5 to
500.0 μg mL
-1 for
S. schenckii, and 125.0 to 250.0 μg mL
-1 for
S. brasiliensis. SEM micrographs
revealed morphological alterations in hyphae and reduction of the adhered conidia numbers.
Conclusion: Origanum vulgare Linnaeus essential oil possesses potential antifungal activity, and can,
therefore, can be developed as an alternative agent for the treatment of sporotrichosis.
