Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of different essential oils (EOs) from the Lamiaceae family was evaluated on Streptococcus agalactiae, Candida albicans, and lactobacilli. S. agalactiae is the main cause of severe neonatal infections, such as sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia. C. albicans is a primary causative agent of vulvovaginal candidiasis, a multifactorial infectious disease of the lower female reproductive tract. Lactobacilli represent the dominant bacterial species of the vaginal flora and constitute the natural defense against pathogens. On the basis of the preliminary results, the attention was focused on the EOs from Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel. and Mentha arvensis L. By using gas ghromatography (GS) retention data and mass spectra, it was possible to identify more than 90% of the total composition of the EO samples. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and anti-biofilm activity of the two EOs were determined against all isolated strains, using the EOs by themselves or in combination with each other and with drugs (erythromycin and fluconazole). The results showed a good antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of both EOs and a synergistic effect, leading to the best results against all the strains, resulted using the combinations EOs/EOs and antimicrobials/EOs.
Highlights
The vaginal flora is strongly related to women health
Erythromycin and fluconazole displayed their activity against Streptococcus agalactiae and Candida albicans strains, respectively. These two antimicrobials used as the reference showed their activity towards lactobacilli
The results clearly indicated that these essential oils (EOs), having a high content of linalool and linalyl acetate for L. x intermedia and menthol for M. arvensis, respectively, showed a good antimicrobial activity against the two vaginal pathogens, in planktonic and in biofilm forms, both individually and in association with each other and with drugs
Summary
The vaginal flora is strongly related to women health. The vaginal ecosystem is typically dominated by different Lactobacillus species, mainly Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus iners, and Lactobacillus jensenii. They play a protective role by a combination of various mechanisms, i.e., by maintaining a low pH (
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call