Chemical composition and antifungal effect of the essential oil of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don against clinical isolates of Candida spp.

This study investigated the chemical composition and antifungal properties of the essential oil derived from Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don, a plant belonging to Asteraceae family. A total of 52 compounds were identified using the GC/MS analysis with the main components being neryl acetate (13.4%) and γ-curcumene (10.3%). We examined the antifungal activity of H. italicum oil against human Candida isolates and its interaction with the conventional antifungal agent, nystatin. Additionally, the effect of oil on biofilm production by Candida isolates was investigated. The results revealed a notably strong anti-Candida effect, with MIC values ranging from 0.312 to 5.00 mg/mL. The oil exhibited a synergistic effect with the tested antifungal drug and notable antibiofilm activity. These findings support further research into plant secondary metabolites as potential new antifungal agents.