Chemical components of Ocimum sanctum essential oil grown in Hanoi, Vietnam and its antifungal properties against dermatologic pathogen - Malassezia

Abstract

Malassezia species can cause serious dermatologic diseases in humans. Synthetic antifungal drugs, which have been usually utilised as a treatment for Malassezia-associated diseases, are belonged to the azole group. However, the hypersensitivity and resistance to synthetic drugs due to improper use are raising public concerns. Recently, the study of using herbal essential oils in the control of Malassezia fungus has attracted great attention from researchers. This study analysed and identified 19 compounds of Ocimum sanctum L. essential oil, where eugenol is the main composition in O. sanctum essential oil, accounting for 42.4%. O. sanctum essential oil showed strong activity against 3 strains of human skin fungi M. furfur VNF01, M. furfur ATCC14521, and M. globosa VNG02 with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5 µl/ml. Using this concentration, 74.66-80.66% of tested yeast strains’ cell numbers were eliminated after a 20-minute treatment. The results suggested that the herbal O. sanctum essential oil could be a potential agent to develop cosmetic products including shampoo and cream for the prevention and treatment of Malassezia-associated diseases.