Antimycotic activity of Myrtus communis L. towards Candida spp. from isolates

""Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is an evergreen shrub belonging to the family of Myrtaceae, which grows spontaneously throughout the Mediterranean area. In Italy it grows along the coasts and on the internal hills, and it is abundant especially in the islands, where it is one of the most characteristic species. The essential oil obtained from its leaves and sometimes from its flowers and berries has been used for its tonic and medicinal properties, and it is used in the flavour and fragrance industries. Myrtus communis has exhibited the biological activities of tannins including anticancer and antioxidant activities [3]. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimycotic activity of myrtle’s essential oil toward five species of yeasts isolated from clinical samples (blood cultures): C. albicans (10 strains), C. glabrata (10 strains), C. krusei (10 strains), C. tropicalis (10 strains), and C. parapsilosis (10 strains). The results obtained at 24 and 48 hours were compared with the MIC using the following six antimycotics: amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin. The results obtained showed good antimycotic activity of myrtle’s essential oil toward the five yeasts at the 24-and the 48-hour time points.""