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Plants possess a multitude of naturally evolved mechanisms to help prevent and protect against fungal infection, and humans have been using them for thousands of years to help treat skin conditions. Scientific innovation has now made it possible to discover specific plant-derived ingredients responsible for driving these antifungal effects for use in further cosmetic formulation.
What we know:
Plant extracts (PEs) from species like Phytolacca tetramera, Clematis flammula & Fraxinus angustifolia have the potential to improve skin microbiome modulation in response to dysbiotic fungal infections by strains of Candida spp by targeting the destruction of yeast cells and inhibiting the formation of biofilms exacerbate fungal growth and intensity of infection (Butassi et al., 2019; Ourabah et al., 2019)
One study investigating the efficacy of vegetable-derived PEs in treating yeast and dermatophyte infections found both onion & garlic showed significant antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur, Candida albicans, and dermatophytes species (Shams-Ghahfarokhi et al., 2006)
Onion extracts contain thiosulfinates & phenolics that have proven antifungal properties owing to their inhibitory effect on fungal growth. Garlic contains bioactives like allicin and sulphides that promote both antibacterial and antifungal effects (Zhao et al., 2021; Bar et al., 2022)
Plant essential oils (EOs) also possess antifungal capabilities, acting similarly to PEs by disrupting fungal cells. One of the most effective types of EO are those extracted from thyme, showing highly potent fungicidal effects against Aspergillus, a group of fungi responsible for cutaneous aspergillosis as well as certain Candida species (Abd Rashed et al., 2021)
Melaleuca alternifolia EO is also a proven treatment against fungal infection, containing compounds like α-pinene, γ-terpinene & limonene that act to restrict Malassezia growth on the skin and prevent diseases like pityriasis versicolor & seborrhoeic dermatitis (de Groot et al., 2016; Hammer et al., 2000)
Industry impact & potential:
Plant extracts and essential oils are now considered major constituents of various cosmetic formulations owing to their antimicrobial properties. Malezia 5% Urea Moisturizer contains plant-derived ingredients like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride & Allantoin that act to prevent Malassezia growth while moisturising fungal acne prone skin. Almond Clear’s mandelic acid serum contains almond-derived ingredients that combat bacteria and fungi to reduce acne and folliculitis while exfoliating the skin.
Our solution:
As an industry leader in skin microbiome testing, Sequential offers end-to-end support for products supplying the microbiome with beneficial effects, including the reduction of fungus-associated conditions like Malassezia folliculitis or seborrheic dermatitis.
References:
Abd Rashed A, Rathi DG, Ahmad Nasir NAH, Abd Rahman AZ. Antifungal Properties of Essential Oils and Their Compounds for Application in Skin Fungal Infections: Conventional and Nonconventional Approaches. Molecules. 2021 Feb 19;26(4):1093. doi: 10.3390/molecules26041093. PMID: 33669627; PMCID: PMC7922942.
de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Tea tree oil: contact allergy and chemical composition. Contact Dermatitis. 2016 Sep;75(3):129-43. doi: 10.1111/cod.12591. Epub 2016 May 13. PMID: 27173437.
Bar, Monika & Binduga, Urszula & Szychowski, Konrad. (2022). Methods of Isolation of Active Substances from Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Its Impact on the Composition and Biological Properties of Garlic Extracts. Antioxidants. 11. 1345. 10.3390/antiox11071345.
Butassi E, Svetaz LA, Zhou S, Wolfender JL, Cortés JCG, Ribas JC, Díaz C, Palacio JP, Vicente F, Zacchino SA. The antifungal activity and mechanisms of action of quantified extracts from berries, leaves and roots of Phytolacca tetramera. Phytomedicine. 2019 Jul;60:152884. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152884. Epub 2019 Mar 16. PMID: 30922815.
Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil inhibits germ tube formation by Candida albicans. Med Mycol. 2000 Oct;38(5):355-62. PMID: 11092382.
Ourabah, Asma & Atmani-Kilani, Dina & Nadjet, Benaida & Kolesova, Olga & Azib, Lila & Yous, Farah & Benloukil, Malika & Botta, Bruno & Atmani, Djebbar & Simonetti, Giovanna. (2019). Anti-Candida albicans biofilm activity of extracts from two selected indigenous Algerian plants: Clematis flammula and Fraxinus angustifolia. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 20. 100319. 10.1016/j.hermed.2019.100319.
Shams-Ghahfarokhi M, Shokoohamiri MR, Amirrajab N, Moghadasi B, Ghajari A, Zeini F, Sadeghi G, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M. In vitro antifungal activities of Allium cepa, Allium sativum and ketoconazole against some pathogenic yeasts and dermatophytes. Fitoterapia. 2006 Jun;77(4):321-3. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2006.03.014. Epub 2006 May 11. PMID: 16690223.
Zhao XX, Lin FJ, Li H, Li HB, Wu DT, Geng F, Ma W, Wang Y, Miao BH, Gan RY. Recent Advances in Bioactive Compounds, Health Functions, and Safety Concerns of Onion (Allium cepa L.). Front Nutr. 2021 Jul 22;8:669805. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.669805. PMID: 34368207; PMCID: PMC8339303.
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