Development of antifungal agents from essential oil compounds in Ostericum koreanum

Essential oils from plants are a promising source for novel natural antifungal drugs, though their activity against human pathogenic fungi is generally milder than commercial synthetic antifungal drugs. Ostericum koreanum (Max.) Kitagawa (Umbelliferae) is a perennial herb used in traditional Korean medicines for treatment of the common cold and for relief of rheumatic pains or headaches; the herb imparts a pungent and warm sensation. A rich source of essential oil, Ostericum koreanum is widely distributed in the wild and cultivated in Korea. In this study we analyzed the essential oil from O. koreanum and evaluated its antifungal activity by the broth dilution method and disk diffusion test against various pathogenic fungal species. On the basis of these results, checkerboard micro titer tests were performed and isobolograms were constructed to determine the combined effect of the essential oils and ketoconazole in order to develop more effective and safer anti-catharsis therapy. As the results, the essential oil of O. koreanum and its main components showed high susceptibility against the tested fungi. The antifungal activities were dose dependent. It exhibited significant synergism in combination with ketoconazole.

Reference: Shin, S., Lim, S. (2004), J. Appl. Microbiol. 97: 1289–1296.