STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF CARVACROL IN ASSOCIATION WITH AMPHOTERICIN B AGAINST Cryptococcus neoformans STRAIN (LM-22)

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast, etiologic agent of cryptococcosis, an opportunistic and systemic fungal infection, frequent in patients with compromised immune systems. Considering the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals derived from natural products they are fast becoming promising alternatives for both fungal infections and other diseases. The carvacrol is found in various plant essential oils, and possesses many antifungal and antibacterial activities. The study aims to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of the carvacrol against Cryptococcus neoformans. An antifungal activity investigation was performed using microbial death kinetics, and studying carvacrol in associations with amphotericin B and their effect on C. neoformans micromorphology. Using Time to Kill method, our results show that carvacrol inhibits fungal growth, and presents indifferent effects when in association with amphotericin B. Carvacrol also promoted capsule thickness reductions. Under the conditions evaluated carvacrol presented antifungal activity against C. neoformans strain LM-22.