Thymus vulgaris and Allium sativum essential oils showed inhibitory effects on Candida albicans biofilms

Abstract This study aimed to screen for essential oils with antibiofilm effect on Candida albicans. The antifungal effect of 15 essential oils was evaluated on C. albicans planktonic cells, and the most active essential oils were tested for anti-biofilm property. Toxicity to Vero cells was also assessed. Thymus vulgaris and Allium sativum essential oils showed higher fungistatic effects on C. albicans MYA-2876 and C. albicans ATCC 18804. Both essential oils also showed an anti-biofilm effect. Thymus vulgaris and Allium sativum essential oils showed low and moderate cytotoxicity, respectively. The results obtained in this study open promising possibilities for the elaboration of mouthwashes and topical formulations to improve the conventional treatment of oral candidiasis.