Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities of Coridothymus capitatus (L.) RCHB.F. hydrolate from Scoglitty (Sicily)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of bacteria, yeasts and viruses to the hydrolate of Coridothymus capitatus (L.) Rchb.f. that contained 0.6% essential oil. Characterization and toxicity were evaluated. The antimicrobial screening was tested against staphylococci (including methicillin-resistant strains), Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida spp. and Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2. Studies on the effects of hydrolate in combination with antimicrobial drugs were performed. Carvacrol was the main compound detected. The hydrolate was non-toxic, and showed the highest antimicrobial activity against S.aureus, C.glabrata and HSV-2. A synergistic effect was obtained between hydrolate and itraconazole (ITZ) against ITZ resistant C.krusei.