Antimycotic activity of Achillea ageratum L. essential oil

In this study we evaluated the antimycotic activity of Achillea ageratum essential oil against Candida albicans. The principal components of the essential oil were yomogi alcohol, 1,8-cineole, artemisia treine and artemisia alcohol. Most strains of C. albicans tested had an MIC 2.25 [micro]g/ml and an MFC between 2.25 and 4.5 [micro]g/ml; the MIC and MFC were low when compared to fluconazole.We also demonstrated that the essential oil was able to affect the major virulence factors of C. albicans; the inhibition of germ tube formation at the sub-inhibitory concentration of 0.29 [micro]g/ml and the inhibition of biofilm formation by over 60% at a concentration of 9 [micro]g/ml. In conclusion, Achillea ageratum essential oil showed a good activity in vitro against C. albicans and may be potentially used as anticandida agent.To support this, further studies are in preparaton to confirm these results. Key words: essential oil, Achillea ageratum, Candida albicans, antimycotic activity, biofilm