Efficacy of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil from a plant species against Candida albicans
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Published:
Jul 28, 2025
Keywords:
Candida albicans; Eucalyptus globulus; efficacy; root canal; Phytotherapy
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Abstract
Introduction. In the dental field in endodontics, the presence of microorganisms, especially Candida albicans in periapical lesions, limits the success of treatment, although irrigants such as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and calcium hydroxide are used as intraradicular medication, they are not always effective, thus the need to develop studies that involve other less invasive options than conventional antifungal agents. Objective. To determine the efficacy of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil against Candida albicans (ATCC 60193). Methodology. This was a longitudinal laboratory study in which the Candida albicans ATCC 60193 strain was inoculated and analyzed in triplicate, working with several exposure subgroups: proportions of essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus (50%, 75%, 100%) and for the control group injectable fluconazole 2 mg/mL (positive control) and purified water (negative control) were used, at an incubation period of 25º C, at 72 hours, the results were observed by visual inspection, the size of the areas where the growth of Candida albicans was stopped was measured in millimeters. Results. The 75% solution showed the greatest inhibition halo, but with a great variability in the data, in contrast to 100% which has a lower inhibitory effect than 75% but with less variability and a statistically significant difference, the 50% solution has the lowest inhibitory effect. Conclusion. This study highlights the variability in the antifungal effect of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil in arresting the growth of Candida albicans, these findings underline the importance of further research. General field of study: Health sciences. Specific field of study: Dentistry. Type of study: Original article.
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Santellán Sanchim, K. P., & Cuenca León, K. de los Ángeles. (2025). Efficacy of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil from a plant species against Candida albicans. Anatomía Digital, 8(3.2), 29-44. https://doi.org/10.33262/anatomiadigital.v8i3.2.3459
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References
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16. Macedo-Ramírez YC, Mejía-Delgado EM. Eficacia antifúngica del extracto etanólico de Eucalyptus globulus sobre Candida albicans in vitro. Revista Médica de Trujillo [Internet]. 2019 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 14(2):79–91. Disponible en: https://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/RMT/article/view/2391
17. Meccatti VM, De Carvalho LS. Endodontia e plantas Medicinais: Uma Revisao Integrativa. Arquivos de Ciências da Saúde da Unipar [Internet]. 2023 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 27(7):3330–3342. Disponible en: https://revistas.unipar.br/index.php/saude/article/view/10161
18. Calderón Augusto JCM, Cassana Rojas LR, Villar Zapata JC, Velásquez Huamán Z. Terapia fotodinámica, una nueva tendencia en endodoncia para la eliminación del Enterococcus faecalis. Revista Estomatológica Herediana [Internet]. 2024 [citado 7 mayo 2025]; 34(1):77–84. Disponible en: https://revistas.upch.edu.pe/index.php/REH/article/view/5333
19. Cerna-Chávez E, Alejandro-Rojas G, Ochoa-Fuentes YM, Aguirre-Uribe L, Landeros-Flores J, Hernández-Bautista O. Evaluación in vitro de principios activos de origen botánico para el control de hongos fitopatógenos. Scientia Fungorum [Internet]. 2019 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 49: e1245. Disponible en: https://scientiafungorum.org.mx/index.php/micologia/article/view/e1245
20. Moreno J, López G, Siche R. Modeling, and optimization of extraction process of eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus). Scientia Agropecuaria [Online]. 2010 [cited 2025 May 21]; 1(2):147–154. Available from: https://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/scientiaagrop/article/view/27
21. Villavicencio Caparó E, Alvear Cordero MC, Cuenca Leon K, Calderon Curipoma M, Palacios Vivar D, Alvarado Cordero A. Diseños de estudios clínicos en odontología. Odontología Activa Revista Científica [Internet]. 2016 [citado 21 mayo 2025];1(2):81–84. Disponible en: https://oactiva.ucacue.edu.ec/index.php/oactiva/article/view/163
22. Villavicencio-Caparó E, Cuenca-León K, Vélez-León EM, Cabrera-Duffau A. Pasos para la planificación de una investigación clínica. Odontología activa [Internet]. 2015 [citado 21 mayo]; 1(1):72–75. Disponible en: https://oactiva.ucacue.edu.ec/index.php/oactiva/article/view/186
23. Villavicencio-Caparó E. ¿Cómo plantear las variables de una investigación?: Operacionalización de las variables. Revista Odontología Activa [Internet]. 2019 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 4(1):15-20. Disponible en: https://oactiva.ucacue.edu.ec/index.php/oactiva/article/view/289
24. Haro-González JN, Castillo-Herrera GA, Martínez-Velázquez M, Espinosa-Andrews H. Clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum l. myrtaceae): Extraction, chemical composition, food applications, and essential bioactivity for human health. Molecules [Online]. 2021 [cited 2025 May 21]; 26(21): 6387. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8588428/
25. Adum Lipari MN, Cedeño Molina ME. La botánica como complemento en emergencias odontológicas. Reincisol [Internet]. 2025 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 4(7):1380–1396. Disponible en: https://www.reincisol.com/ojs/index.php/reincisol/article/view/624
26. Bokaeian M, Nakhaee A, Moodi B, Ali Khazaei H. Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) treatment of candidiasis in normal and diabetic rats. Iranian Biomedical Journal [Online]. 2010 [cited 2025 May 21]; 14(3):121-126. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21079663/
27. Boukhatem MN, Boumaiza A, Nada HG, Rajabi M, Mousa SA. Eucalyptus globulus essential oil as a natural food preservative: antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties in vitro and in a real food matrix (orangina fruit juice). Applied Sciences [Online]. 2020 [cited 2025 May 21];10(16):5581. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/16/5581
28. Martinez-Delgado AJ, Akemi Nakagoshi-Cepeda MA, López-Villarreal SM, Villarreal-García LE , Montoya-Rosales A, Rodríguez-Luis OE. Pathogenesis and immunity of candida albicans in the oral mucosa. Literature review. International Journal of Odontostomatology [Online]. 2024 [cited 2025 May 21]; 18(4):443–449. Available from: https://www.scienceopen.com/document?vid=b3119a30-fe30-4ec8-93cd-a8bd566185cc
29. Elangovan S, Mudgil P. Antibacterial properties of eucalyptus globulus essential oil against MRSA: a systematic review. Antibiotics [Online]. 2023 [cited 2025 May 21]; 12(3):474. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/12/3/474
30. Barbosa JP, Rossini de Oliveira T, Penteado Bragado Puppin DG, Laerte Teixeira A, Cláudia Boni G, Busato de Feiria SN, et al. Anti-candida activity of essential oils from eucalyptus species. A preliminary study. Advances in Dentistry & Oral Health [Online]. 2018 [cited 2025 May 21];8(2): 555740. Available from: https://juniperpublishers.com/adoh/ADOH.MS.ID.555740.php
2. Kumar J, Sharma R, Sharma M, Prabhavathi V, Paul J, Deepak Chowdary C. Presence of candida albicans in root canals of teeth with apical periodontitis and evaluation of their possible role in failure of endodontic treatment. Journal of International Oral Health [Online]. 2015 [cited 2025 May 21]; 7(2):42–45. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4377149/
3. Mezzomo L, Krause Ferrao S, Butzge J, Noal Calil L, Appel M, Bonato Luisi S, et al. Evaluation of antifungal activity of essential oils against different Candida spp. clinical isolates. Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Science [Online]. 2021 [cited 2025 May 21]; 8(2):1-4. Available from: https://jipbs.com/index.php/journal/article/view/404
4. Agarwal V, Lal P, Pruthi V. Effect of plant oils on Candida albicans. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection [Online]. 2010 [cited 2025 May 21]; 43(5): 447–451. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21075713/
5. Valera MC, Maekawa LE, de Oliveira LD, Cardoso Jorge AO, Shygei É, Carvalho Talge CA. In vitro antimicrobial activity of auxiliary chemical substances and natural extracts on Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis in root canals. Journal of Applied Oral Science [Online]. 2013 [cited 2025 May 21]; 21(2):118–123. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3881874/
6. Abraham SB, al Marzooq F, Himratul-Aznita WH, Aly Ahmed HM, Samaranayake LP. Prevalence, virulence, and antifungal activity of C. albicans isolated from infected root canals. BMC Oral Health [Online]. 2020 [cited 2025 May 21]; 20(1): 347. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33256696/
7. Gulati M, Nobile CJ. Candida albicans biofilms: development, regulation, and molecular mechanisms. Microbes and Infection [Online]. 2016 [cited 2025 May 21]; 18(5):310–21. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4860025/
8. Nazzaro F, Fratianni F, Coppola R, De Feo V. Essential oils and antifungal activity. Pharmaceuticals [Online]. 2017 [cited 2025 May 21];10(4):86. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/10/4/86
9. Ashraf H, Samiee M, Eslami G, Reza M, Hosseini G. Presence of Candida Albicans in root canal system of teeth requiring endodontic retreatment with and without periapical lesions. Iranían Endodontic [Online]. 2007 [cited 2025 May 21];2(1):24-28. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24348654/
10. Cuenca-León K, Pacheco-Quito EM, Granda-Granda Y, Vélez-León E, Zarzuelo-Castañeda A. Phytotherapy: a solution to decrease antifungal resistance in the dental field. Biomolecules [Online]. 2022 [cited 2025 May 21]; 12(6):789. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35740914/
11. Marjut S, Leo T, Riina RR. Microbiology of root canal infections. Primary Dental Journal [Online]. 2016 [cited 2025 May 7]; 5(2):84–89. Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1308/205016816819304231
12. Carneiro Valera M, Cardoso FGDR, Chung A, Carvalho Xavier AC, Figueiredo MD, Martinho FC, et al. Comparison of different irrigants in the removal of endotoxins and cultivable microorganisms from infected root canals. Scientific World Journal [Online]. 2015 [cited 2025 May 21]; 2015:125636. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4546762/
13. Ashraf H, Samiee M, Eslami G, Ghodse Hosseini MR. Presence of candida albicans in root canal system of teeth requiring endodontic retreatment with and without periapical lesions. Iranian endodontic journal [Online]. 2007 [cited 2025 May 21]; 13(3):1537–42. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24348654/
14. Marcoux E, Lagha AB, Gauthier P, Grenier D. Antimicrobial activities of natural plant compounds against endodontic pathogens and biocompatibility with human gingival fibroblasts. Archives of Oral Biology [Online]. 2020 [cited 2025 May 21];116(104734). Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003996920301126?via%3Dihub
15. Bernal-Treviño A, González-Amaro AM, Méndez González V, Pozos-Guillen A. Frequency of Candida in root canals of teeth with primary and persistent endodontic infections. Revista Iberoamericana de Micología [Online]. 2018 [cited 2025 May 21];35(2):78–82. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S113014061830007X?via%3Dihub
16. Macedo-Ramírez YC, Mejía-Delgado EM. Eficacia antifúngica del extracto etanólico de Eucalyptus globulus sobre Candida albicans in vitro. Revista Médica de Trujillo [Internet]. 2019 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 14(2):79–91. Disponible en: https://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/RMT/article/view/2391
17. Meccatti VM, De Carvalho LS. Endodontia e plantas Medicinais: Uma Revisao Integrativa. Arquivos de Ciências da Saúde da Unipar [Internet]. 2023 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 27(7):3330–3342. Disponible en: https://revistas.unipar.br/index.php/saude/article/view/10161
18. Calderón Augusto JCM, Cassana Rojas LR, Villar Zapata JC, Velásquez Huamán Z. Terapia fotodinámica, una nueva tendencia en endodoncia para la eliminación del Enterococcus faecalis. Revista Estomatológica Herediana [Internet]. 2024 [citado 7 mayo 2025]; 34(1):77–84. Disponible en: https://revistas.upch.edu.pe/index.php/REH/article/view/5333
19. Cerna-Chávez E, Alejandro-Rojas G, Ochoa-Fuentes YM, Aguirre-Uribe L, Landeros-Flores J, Hernández-Bautista O. Evaluación in vitro de principios activos de origen botánico para el control de hongos fitopatógenos. Scientia Fungorum [Internet]. 2019 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 49: e1245. Disponible en: https://scientiafungorum.org.mx/index.php/micologia/article/view/e1245
20. Moreno J, López G, Siche R. Modeling, and optimization of extraction process of eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus). Scientia Agropecuaria [Online]. 2010 [cited 2025 May 21]; 1(2):147–154. Available from: https://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/scientiaagrop/article/view/27
21. Villavicencio Caparó E, Alvear Cordero MC, Cuenca Leon K, Calderon Curipoma M, Palacios Vivar D, Alvarado Cordero A. Diseños de estudios clínicos en odontología. Odontología Activa Revista Científica [Internet]. 2016 [citado 21 mayo 2025];1(2):81–84. Disponible en: https://oactiva.ucacue.edu.ec/index.php/oactiva/article/view/163
22. Villavicencio-Caparó E, Cuenca-León K, Vélez-León EM, Cabrera-Duffau A. Pasos para la planificación de una investigación clínica. Odontología activa [Internet]. 2015 [citado 21 mayo]; 1(1):72–75. Disponible en: https://oactiva.ucacue.edu.ec/index.php/oactiva/article/view/186
23. Villavicencio-Caparó E. ¿Cómo plantear las variables de una investigación?: Operacionalización de las variables. Revista Odontología Activa [Internet]. 2019 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 4(1):15-20. Disponible en: https://oactiva.ucacue.edu.ec/index.php/oactiva/article/view/289
24. Haro-González JN, Castillo-Herrera GA, Martínez-Velázquez M, Espinosa-Andrews H. Clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum l. myrtaceae): Extraction, chemical composition, food applications, and essential bioactivity for human health. Molecules [Online]. 2021 [cited 2025 May 21]; 26(21): 6387. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8588428/
25. Adum Lipari MN, Cedeño Molina ME. La botánica como complemento en emergencias odontológicas. Reincisol [Internet]. 2025 [citado 21 mayo 2025]; 4(7):1380–1396. Disponible en: https://www.reincisol.com/ojs/index.php/reincisol/article/view/624
26. Bokaeian M, Nakhaee A, Moodi B, Ali Khazaei H. Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) treatment of candidiasis in normal and diabetic rats. Iranian Biomedical Journal [Online]. 2010 [cited 2025 May 21]; 14(3):121-126. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21079663/
27. Boukhatem MN, Boumaiza A, Nada HG, Rajabi M, Mousa SA. Eucalyptus globulus essential oil as a natural food preservative: antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties in vitro and in a real food matrix (orangina fruit juice). Applied Sciences [Online]. 2020 [cited 2025 May 21];10(16):5581. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/16/5581
28. Martinez-Delgado AJ, Akemi Nakagoshi-Cepeda MA, López-Villarreal SM, Villarreal-García LE , Montoya-Rosales A, Rodríguez-Luis OE. Pathogenesis and immunity of candida albicans in the oral mucosa. Literature review. International Journal of Odontostomatology [Online]. 2024 [cited 2025 May 21]; 18(4):443–449. Available from: https://www.scienceopen.com/document?vid=b3119a30-fe30-4ec8-93cd-a8bd566185cc
29. Elangovan S, Mudgil P. Antibacterial properties of eucalyptus globulus essential oil against MRSA: a systematic review. Antibiotics [Online]. 2023 [cited 2025 May 21]; 12(3):474. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/12/3/474
30. Barbosa JP, Rossini de Oliveira T, Penteado Bragado Puppin DG, Laerte Teixeira A, Cláudia Boni G, Busato de Feiria SN, et al. Anti-candida activity of essential oils from eucalyptus species. A preliminary study. Advances in Dentistry & Oral Health [Online]. 2018 [cited 2025 May 21];8(2): 555740. Available from: https://juniperpublishers.com/adoh/ADOH.MS.ID.555740.php