Features Production Research
Lavender oil has potent antifungal effect

Feb. 23, 2011 – Scientists from the University of Coimbra in Portugal
distilled lavender oil from the Lavandula viridis L'Hér shrub that
grows in southern Portugal. The oil was tested against a range of
pathogenic fungi and was found to be lethal to a range of
skin-pathogenic strains, known as dermatophytes, as well as various
species of Candida.

Feb. 23, 2011 – Scientists from the University of Coimbra in Portugal
distilled lavender oil from the Lavandula viridis L'Hér shrub that
grows in southern Portugal. The oil was tested against a range of
pathogenic fungi and was found to be lethal to a range of
skin-pathogenic strains, known as dermatophytes, as well as various
species of Candida.

Dermatophytes cause infections of the skin, hair and nails as they
use the keratin within these tissues to obtain nutrients. They are
responsible for conditions such as Athletes' foot, ringworm and can
also lead to scalp and nail infections. Candida species coexist with
most healthy individuals without causing problems but may cause
mucocutaneous candidosis — or thrush — in some people. In
immunocompromised patients, Candida species are able to cause serious
infection if the fungal cells escape into the blood stream.

Currently, there are relatively few types of antifungal drugs to
treat infections and those that are available often have side effects.
Professor Lígia Salgueiro and Professor Eugénia Pinto who led this
study explained why novel fungicides are urgently needed. "In the last
few years there has been an increase in the incidence of fungal
diseases, particularly among immunocompromised patients," they said.
"Unfortunately there is also increasing resistance to antifungal drugs.
Research by our group and others has shown that essential oils may be
cheap, efficient alternatives that have minimal side effects."

Essential oils distilled from the Lavandula genus of lavender
plants are already used widely, particularly in the food, perfume and
cosmetic industries. Studies of the biological activities of these oils
suggest Lavandula oils have sedative and antispasmodic properties as
well being potent antimicrobials and antioxidants.

This group has demonstrated that these oils work by destroying
fungal cells by damaging the cell membrane. They believe that further
research into the mechanisms by which this essential oil works could
have significant clinical benefits. "Lavandula oil shows wide-spectrum
antifungal activity and is highly potent. This is a good starting point
for developing this oil for clinical use to manage fungal infections.
What is now required is clinical trials to evaluate how our in vitro
work translates in vivo," said Professor Salgueiro.