Inhibitory activity of limonene against a virulent strain of Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo

Antimicrobial compounds are present in animals, plants and microorganisms and can play an important role in the immune response. Limonene belongs to the terpene group and has been shown antitumoral and antiprotozoal activities against Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania amazonensis. Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that is part of the human microbiota but in some cases could cause from mild skin mycosis to severe disseminated infections. The most used treatments against candidiasis are fluconazole, itraconazole, miconazole and in severe cases amphotericin B. However, the number of resistance cases to these antifungal drugs has increased recently. In this study we will evaluate the Limonene concentration capable to inhibit the growth of the yeasts by a curve of cell death. In addition, damage to the fungal structure will be observed through transmission electron microscopy. In the in vitro experiments we will use female BALB/c mice for the vaginal candidiasis model. Colony Forming Units (CFU), histology and scanning electron microscopy of the vaginal canal will be verified to analyze the effect of the limonene treatment. We expect that limonene presents a protector role in the infection process caused by the virulent strain used of Candida albicans.