The Antifungal Potential of Ozonated Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Against Candida albicans : Mechanisms and Efficacy

• Published in: Biomolecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2024-11, Vol.14 (11), p.1472
• Main Authors: Augello, Simone, Cameli, Valentina, Montanari, Arianna, Tacconi, Stefano, Uccelletti, Daniela, Dini, Luciana, Schifano, Emily
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; antifungal; Antifungal activity; Antifungal agents; Antifungal Agents - chemistry; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial agents; Autophagy; Autophagy - drug effects; Biocompatibility; Biofilms; Biofilms - drug effects; C. albicans; Candida albicans; Candida albicans - drug effects; Cell death; Cell viability; Cell walls; Fatty acids; Gentian violet; Glycerol; Hyphae - drug effects; Infections; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Natural products; Olive oil; Olive Oil - chemistry; Olive Oil - pharmacology; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; ozonated oil; Ozone - chemistry; Ozone - pharmacology; Pathogenesis; Pathogenicity; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Sodium; Transmission electron microscopy; Triglycerides; Virulence; Yeast
• ISSN: 2218-273X; 2218-273X
• DOI: 10.3390/biom14111472

The growing emergence of resistance mechanisms and side effects associated with antifungal agents highlight the need for alternative therapies. This study aims to investigate the antifungal potential of ozonated extra-virgin olive oil (EOO) against , with the goal of developing eco-friendly and highly effective treatments based on natural products. Antifungal activity was evaluated via cell viability and biofilm formation assays using Crystal Violet and Sytox green staining. The results showed that EOO reduced viability in a dose-dependent manner, achieving over 90% cell death at a 3% ( / ) concentration. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed cell wall structural damage, and ROS levels increased by approximately 60% compared to untreated controls within 10 min of treatment. Additionally, the expression of autophagy-related genes and was upregulated by 2- and 3.5-fold, respectively, after 15 min, suggesting a stress-induced cell death response. EOO also significantly inhibited hyphal formation and biofilm development, thus reducing pathogenicity while preserving cell biocompatibility. EOO antifungal activity was also observed in the case of In conclusion, ozonated olive oil demonstrates potent antifungal activity against by reducing cell viability, inhibiting hyphal and biofilm formation, and triggering oxidative stress and autophagy pathways. These findings position EOO as a promising alternative therapy for fungal infections.