Effect of Myrtus nivellei essential oil on keratinocytes viability (MTT assay).
HaCaT cells were exposed to different concentrations of the essential oil (0.16–
2.5mL/mL) for 24 h. Results are expressed as a percentage of MTT reduction by
control cells maintained in culture medium. Each value represents the mean7SEM
from three experiments, performed in duplicate (***po0.001, compared with
control).
strains tested. Our results showed that Myrtus nivelleiessential oil
had effective antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans
with MIC and MLC values of 0.16μL/mL and 0.32μL/mL, respec-tively. Cryptococcus neoformans is the major causative agent
of fungal meningoencephalitis. It is the best known form of this
mycosis in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent
individuals. Also against dermatophytes, the oil demonstrated
antifungal potential, particularly forMicrosporum canis, Trichophy-ton rubrum andEpidermophytonfloccosumwith MIC and MLC of
0.64μL/mL (Table 5). For most of the fungi tested MIC and MLC are
similar revealing fungicidal activity of the oil. These results
support the use of this species in traditional medicine for the
treatment of dermatophytosis.