Molecules 2011, 16(8), 6422-6431; doi:10.3390/molecules16086422
Article

Alkylphenol Activity against Candida spp. and Microsporum canis: A Focus on the Antifungal Activity of Thymol, Eugenol and O-Methyl Derivatives

Raquel O.S. Fontenelle 1,* email, Selene M. Morais 2 email, Erika H.S. Brito 3 email, Raimunda S.N. Brilhante 4 email, Rossana A. Cordeiro 4 email, Ynayara C. Lima 5 email, Nilce V.G.P.S. Brasil 5 email, André J. Monteiro 6 email, José J.C. Sidrim 4 email and Marcos F.G. Rocha 4,7 email
1 Centre of the Agricultural Sciences and Biological, Acaraú Valley State University, 62040-370, Sobral, CE, Brazil 2 Department of Chemistry, State University of Ceará, 60740-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil 3 Department of the Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Superior Institute of Applied Theology, 62050-100, Sobral, CE, Brazil 4 Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Mycology Specialized Center, Federal University of Ceará, 60441-750, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil 5 Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil 6 Department of Statistics and Applied Mathematics, Federal University of Ceará, 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil 7 Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, State University of Ceará, 60740-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 11 May 2011; in revised form: 15 July 2011 / Accepted: 26 July 2011 / Published: 29 July 2011
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Abstract: In recent years there has been an increasing search for new antifungal compounds due to the side effects of conventional antifungal drugs and fungal resistance. The aims of this study were to test in vitro the activity of thymol, eugenol, estragole and anethole and some O-methyl-derivatives (methylthymol and methyleugenol) against Candida spp. and Microsporum canis. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) for both Candida spp. and M. canis were found by subculturing each fungal suspension on potato dextrose agar. Thymol, methylthymol, eugenol, methyl-eugenol, anethole, estragole and griseofulvin respectively, presented the following MIC values against M. canis: 4.8–9.7; 78–150; 39; 78–150; 78–150; 19–39 µg/mL and 0.006–2.5 mg/mL. The MFC values for all compounds ranged from 9.7 to 31 µg/mL. Concerning Candida spp, thymol, methylthymol, eugenol, methyleugenol, anethole, estragole and amphotericin, respectively, showed the following MIC values: 39; 620–1250; 150–620; 310–620; 620; 620–1250 and 0.25–2.0 mg/mL. The MFC values varied from 78 to 2500 µg/mL. All tested compounds thus showed in vitro antifungal activity against Candida spp. and M. canis. Therefore, further studies should be carried out to confirm the usefulness of these alkylphenols in vivo.
Keywords: thymol; eugenol; estragole; methyl-derivatives; dermathophytes; Candida

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Fontenelle, R.O.; Morais, S.M.; Brito, E.H.; Brilhante, R.S.; Cordeiro, R.A.; Lima, Y.C.; Brasil, N.V.; Monteiro, A.J.; Sidrim, J.J.; Rocha, M.F. Alkylphenol Activity against Candida spp. and Microsporum canis: A Focus on the Antifungal Activity of Thymol, Eugenol and O-Methyl Derivatives. Molecules 2011, 16, 6422-6431.

AMA Style

Fontenelle RO, Morais SM, Brito EH, Brilhante RS, Cordeiro RA, Lima YC, Brasil NV, Monteiro AJ, Sidrim JJ, Rocha MF. Alkylphenol Activity against Candida spp. and Microsporum canis: A Focus on the Antifungal Activity of Thymol, Eugenol and O-Methyl Derivatives. Molecules. 2011; 16(8):6422-6431.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fontenelle, Raquel O.S.; Morais, Selene M.; Brito, Erika H.S.; Brilhante, Raimunda S.N.; Cordeiro, Rossana A.; Lima, Ynayara C.; Brasil, Nilce V.G.P.S.; Monteiro, André J.; Sidrim, José J.C.; Rocha, Marcos F.G. 2011. "Alkylphenol Activity against Candida spp. and Microsporum canis: A Focus on the Antifungal Activity of Thymol, Eugenol and O-Methyl Derivatives." Molecules 16, no. 8: 6422-6431.

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