IV. International Eurasian Mycology Congress , Çanakkale, Türkiye, 3 - 05 Eylül 2024, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.190
Candida species are commonly found in the human body, particularly in the skin, genital, and gastrointestinal systems. Because Candida species are resistant to antifungal drugs, researchers are looking for alternative treatment methods. Essential oils from medicinal and edible plants have been known for their antimicrobial properties since ancient times. Propolis, a substance created by honeybees using plant resins, salivary enzymes, and beeswax, also has antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to find inexpensive, simple, and effective therapeutic essential oils that can prevent and control the growth of Candida albicans. The agar well diffusion method was used to test 10 essential oils and mixtures of propolis: essential oils (1:1, v/v) to evaluate the anticandidal activity. The results showed that black grape seed, grape seed, pomegranate seed, black cumin, garlic, lemon, and two orange oils tested did not exhibit anticandidal activity. The study found that the anti-candidal activity of black grape seed, grape seed, pomegranate seed, black cumin, lemon, and orange oils mixed with propolis increased between 191.50% and 239.17%. The most effective essential oils were thyme and rosemary, which inhibited Candida growth by 16.96±0.91 mm and 23.38±0.85 mm, respectively. However, when thyme oil was mixed with propolis, its anti-candidal activity decreased by 3.45%, and rosemary oil's activity decreased by 37.08%. These results indicate that not all essential oils mix well with propolis, and some combinations may have antagonistic or synergistic effects. Therefore, it's essential to carefully evaluate and select combinations of essential oils and propolis based on specific conditions. Future research should delve deeper into the biological effects of these mixtures and determine the best formulations.