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 μg/ml and an MFC between 2.25 and 4.5 μg/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 μg/ml and the inhibition of biofilm formation by over 60% at a concentration of 9 μg/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.