Antimicrobial activity of Mentha piperita L. against Candida spp.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the effects of hydroalcoholic extract, infusion and essential oil of Mentha piperita L. on Candida spp. Hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil were evaluated regarding microbial activity against 50 strains of Candida albicans, 10 Candida glabrata, 10 Candida tropicalis, 8 Candida parapsilosis and 2 Candida krusei. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the hydroalcoholic extract was determined by the broth dilution method and the essential oil antimicrobial activity was determined by the agar diffusion test. The effect of infusion of Mentha piperita L. on the adherence of standard Candida strains to acrylic resin was also investigated. The results demonstrated that hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita L. showed fungistatic activity against strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. The essential oil showed greater inhibitory activity on strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. Infusion of Mentha piperita L. did not inhibit the adherence of Candida to acrylic resin. In conclusion, Mentha piperita L. presented greater antimicrobial activity against strains of C. albicans and C. tropicalis, but showed no effect on the adherence of these microorganisms to acrylic resin.