Evaluation of combinatorial effect of Tea tree oil and Amphotericin B against Candida species

Abstract

Candida is a commonly occurring fungus in the human body that can lead to mild illnesses. However, when the immune system is severely weakened (as in the case of cancer chemotherapy patients) or underdeveloped (as in the case of infants), Candida can develop into a life-threatening infection by invading the bloodstream and organs. Some fungi have become resistant to the limited antifungal medications available due to repeated exposure. A quick and accurate way for determining a compound's antifungal activity is the drug diffusion test. To assess TTO's effectiveness against Candida species in this investigation, we performed the drug diffusion test. The microdilution test is a frequently used technique for assessing antimicrobial drugs' minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The microdilution test was utilized in this investigation in order to evaluate the MIC of TTO against different species of Candida. TTO shows significant antifungal properties against all Candida strains tested. TTO is an efficient inhibitor of Candida growth and possesses fungicidal action against Candida species, according to these findings. Biofilm development is a significant pathogenicity component in Yeast infections, and it is linked to greater antifungal resistance. As a result, developing novel medicines that can limit biofilm formation is critical for treating Candida infections. ROS are highly reactive chemicals that regulate biological processes such as the death of cells, necrosis, or inflammation. ROS serves an important part in the host's defence against the infections caused by microorganisms, and their modulation can influence the outcome of infection. Researchers suggest that rather than creating antifungal drugs that have negative side effects on humans, it is better to focus on the fungal features that make them more virulent. In this study, Tea tree essential oil from Melaleuca alternifolia along with Ampho B is used as an antifungal and antibiofilm agent to combat candida infection.