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Synergistic potential and apoptosis induction of Bunium persicum essential oil and its pure components, cuminaldehyde and γ-terpinene, in combination with fluconazole on Candida albicans isolates: in vitro and in silico evaluation

Summary

Researchers tested how Bunium persicum essential oil and its components work alongside the antifungal drug fluconazole against Candida albicans infections. Cuminaldehyde, a major component of the oil, showed the strongest effects when combined with fluconazole, making infection-causing cells die faster than each substance alone. This combination approach could help overcome drug-resistant fungal infections and offers a promising natural alternative to synthetic drugs alone.

Background

Fluconazole resistance in Candida species is increasing and poses a significant clinical challenge. Natural products from essential oils have gained attention as complementary therapies with promising antifungal properties. This study evaluated the synergistic and apoptotic effects of Bunium persicum essential oil and its components combined with fluconazole.

Objective

To evaluate the synergistic and apoptotic effects of Bunium persicum essential oil and its two pure components, cuminaldehyde and γ-terpinene, combined with fluconazole on susceptible and resistant C. albicans isolates, and to study molecular interactions with lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase.

Results

Cuminaldehyde showed the lowest MIC and MFC values compared to the essential oil and γ-terpinene. Cuminaldehyde combined with fluconazole demonstrated the most synergistic effects in 63.6% of isolates. Combination treatments showed greater apoptotic effects than individual agents. Molecular docking revealed both compounds interact with lanosterol 14α-demethylase at distinct binding sites.

Conclusion

Natural products combined with synthetic antifungal agents demonstrated synergistic properties that could contribute to developing effective therapeutic strategies, particularly for resistant fungal species. The results support further investigation for clinical application of these natural components.
  • Published in:Current Medical Mycology,
  • Study Type:In vitro and in silico study,
  • Source: PMID: 41122118, DOI: 10.22034/cmm.2025.345248.1636
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