Antifungal mechanisms of Melaleuca bracteata F. Mueall essential oil against Candida albicans: From chemical profiling to molecular targets

IF 1.3 4区医学 Q3 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

European Journal of Integrative Medicine Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-14 DOI:10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102570

Thang Truong Le , Tien-Dung Nguyen , Minh-Thuong Nguyen-Van , Tran Ngo Bao Huynh , Thuan-Thien Dinh , Chau Dao Minh Huynh , Phuc Dao Thien Nguyen , Tan Nguyen Van Ho , Hieu Tran-Van , Viet Hoang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Candida albicans (C. albicans) infections pose a significant health challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel antifungal agents. Essential oils derived from medicinal plants play a crucial role in aromatherapy as a complementary therapeutic approach. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Melaleuca bracteata F. Mueall (M. bracteata) essential oil against C. albicans, establishing its potential as a novel plant-derived antifungal therapeutic in response to increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Methods

This study employed a comprehensive approach, combining chemical analysis, in vitro experiments, and computational methods to investigate the antifungal properties of M. bracteata essential oil against C. albicans.

Results

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) analysis revealed eugenol methyl ether (EME) as the predominant component (86.87 %) of M. bracteata essential oil. The oil demonstrated potent antifungal activity against C. albicans, with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 400 µg/mL. It significantly inhibited biofilm formation, with 96.03 % inhibition at MIC, and caused notable morphological changes in C. albicans cells as observed through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Gene expression analysis showed the downregulation of key biofilm-related genes (efg1, als3, act1) upon treatment with the oil. Molecular docking suggested potential interactions of EME with critical C. albicans proteins. Importantly, the oil exhibited limited cytotoxicity against various mammalian cell lines. Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) predictions indicated favorable pharmacokinetic properties for EME, while network pharmacology analysis suggested potential immunomodulatory effects.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the promising antifungal potential of M. bracteata essential oil, particularly EME, against C. albicans, warranting further investigation for its development as a novel therapeutic agent.

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千层木犀精油对白色念珠菌的抗真菌机制：从化学分析到分子靶点

白色念珠菌（C. albicans）感染对健康构成重大挑战，需要探索新的抗真菌药物。从药用植物中提取的精油作为一种辅助治疗方法在芳香疗法中起着至关重要的作用。本研究旨在探讨白念珠菌（C. alaleuca bracteata F. Mueall， M. bracteata）精油抗白色念珠菌的分子机制，确定其作为一种新型植物源性抗真菌药物的潜力，以应对日益增加的抗生素耐药性。方法采用化学分析、体外实验和计算方法相结合的综合研究方法，研究苞叶分枝杆菌精油对白色念珠菌的抑菌作用。结果气相色谱-质谱（GCMS）分析显示，丁香酚甲醚（EME）为主要成分，占86.87%。该精油对白色念珠菌具有较强的抑菌活性，最低抑菌浓度（MIC）为400µg/mL。通过扫描电镜（SEM）观察，其显著抑制了生物膜的形成，MIC抑制率为96.03%，并引起白色念珠菌细胞形态的明显改变。基因表达分析显示，油处理后，关键生物膜相关基因（efg1, als3, act1）表达下调。分子对接提示EME可能与关键的白色念珠菌蛋白相互作用。重要的是，该油对多种哺乳动物细胞系显示出有限的细胞毒性。吸收、分布、代谢、排泄和毒性（ADMET）预测表明EME具有良好的药代动力学特性，而网络药理学分析表明EME具有潜在的免疫调节作用。结论这些研究结果表明，短苞草精油，特别是EME，对白色念珠菌具有良好的抗真菌潜力，值得进一步研究，以开发其作为一种新的治疗药物。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Integrative Medicine INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

4.00%

发文量

102

审稿时长

33 days

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Integrative Medicine (EuJIM) considers manuscripts from a wide range of complementary and integrative health care disciplines, with a particular focus on whole systems approaches, public health, self management and traditional medical systems. The journal strives to connect conventional medicine and evidence based complementary medicine. We encourage submissions reporting research with relevance for integrative clinical practice and interprofessional education. EuJIM aims to be of interest to both conventional and integrative audiences, including healthcare practitioners, researchers, health care organisations, educationalists, and all those who seek objective and critical information on integrative medicine. To achieve this aim EuJIM provides an innovative international and interdisciplinary platform linking researchers and clinicians. The journal focuses primarily on original research articles including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, other clinical studies, qualitative, observational and epidemiological studies. In addition we welcome short reviews, opinion articles and contributions relating to health services and policy, health economics and psychology.