Investigation of the antifungal activity of carvacrol against strains of Cryptococcus neoformans

Background:Cryptococcus neoformans is the etiologic agent of opportunistic systemic fungal infection cryptococcosis, which affects individuals with compromised immune systems. Thus, natural products research has become important, since monoterpenes such as carvacrol, a promising molecule in the search antifungal agents, have shown significant biological activity.Objective: The study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity and mode of action of carvacrol against strains of C. neoformans.Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by microdilution method. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was performed by seeding technique on solid media. Studying the mode of action was performed using broth microdilution.Results: The MIC ranged from 25 to 81g/mL and the MFC ranged from 25 to 102g/mL. Carvacrol bonded to exogenous ergosterol and cholesterol.Discussion: The results suggest that carvacrol has antifungal activity against C. neoformans and its mode of action is related to fungal membrane instability.Conclusions: The phytoconstituent carvacrol may eventually become a drug; however, further studies are needed to elucidate its mechanism.