Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41053752›Full record

ArticleBMC complementary medicine and therapies2025

Vapor phase of white thyme essential oil: effect on Candida albicans and preservation of Lactobacillus species in the context of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Liliana Fernandes, Inês Silva, Daniela Araújo, Raquel Costa, Sónia Silva, Nuno Pereira Mira, Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira, Mariana Henriques, Maria Elisa Rodrigues

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Liliana FernandesCentre of Biological Engineering, FRG-Fungi research group, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal.
Inês SilvaCentre of Biological Engineering, FRG-Fungi research group, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal.
Daniela AraújoNational Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Vairãão, 4485-655, Vila do Conde, Portugal.
Raquel CostaCosta Raquel, Aromas Aqua Spa - clínica saúde, Praça 5 outubro nº 32, Vila Verde, Braga, 4730-731, Portugal.
Sónia SilvaCentre of Biological Engineering, FRG-Fungi research group, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal.
Nuno Pereira MiraiBB, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais, Lisbon, 1049-001, Portugal.
Sofia Costa-de-OliveiraDivision of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal; Center for Health Technology and Services Research - CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal, R. Dr. Plácido da Costa, Porto, 4200-450, Portugal.
Mariana HenriquesCentre of Biological Engineering, FRG-Fungi research group, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal.
Maria Elisa RodriguesCentre of Biological Engineering, FRG-Fungi research group, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal. elisarodrigues@ceb.uminho.pt.

Funding

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia 2020.05720.BD
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The balance of the vaginal ecosystem results from synergistic interactions established between the different colonizing microorganisms. Lactobacillus spp. stands out as a predominant member, acting a crucial protective role in maintaining vaginal health. As vulvovaginal candidiasis remains prevalent and antifungal resistance grows, there is a pressing need for alternative therapies. However, any development of new therapies must carefully consider their impact on naturally colonizing species, particularly Lactobacillus spp., believed to be crucial in preserving vaginal homeostasis. This underscores the importance of assessing the protective effect of the oil on Lactobacillus spp. when exploring alternative therapies. This study evaluates the effect of the vapor phase of white thyme essential oil (VP-WTEO), on Candida albicans biofilm formation and on co-colonization of a reconstituted human vaginal epithelium (RHVE), with a specific emphasis on its effect on Lactobacillus gasseri. The VP-WTEO effect on both species was evaluated by DNA quantification and by microscopy, while the effect on the RHVE was assessed by the determination of lactate dehydrogenase activity. The results revealed that the VP-WTEO had a significant inhibitory effect on C. albicans biofilm formation and induced a significant reduction in their mature biofilms. Furthermore, it was observed a significant reduction in the number of C. albicans cells colonizing the RHVE without any alteration on the number of cells of L. gasseri in the presence of the VP-WTEO. This study suggests that the VP-WTEO could be a promising solution to treat and prevent VVC, being a safe alternative for the remaining vaginal microbiota.

Indexed as

Antifungal AgentsBiofilmsCandida albicansCandidiasis, VulvovaginalLactobacillusOils, VolatileThymus PlantFemaleHumansVaginaAntifungal AgentsOils, VolatileBiofilmCandida speciesLactobacillus speciesVaginal microbiotaVulvovaginal candidiasis

Identifiers

PMID41053752
PMCPMC12502485

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.