Nanophytotherapeutic potential of essential oils against Candida infections

Abstract

Candidal infections are increasing at an alarming pace resulting in increase in mortality and morbidity rates. They can cause life-threatening infections which can range from oral to systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. With concomitant emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), there is an intense need to search for novel compounds as the current therapeutic regimes are limited by their toxicity concerns and cost-effectiveness. Natural sources represent an attractive reservoir of compounds which have the potential to overcome the MDR problem. Essential oils (EOs) can be used in their edible form or as medicinal oils with diverse benefits and lesser side effects. This book chapter presents the summarized information on the health benefits and antifungal mode of action of natural compounds isolated from EOs. Additionally, the use of nanosystems as a carrier and delivery system of various EOs on the target pathogen is also discussed.