Soares_2026_J.Fungi.(Basel)_12_

Candida albicans is a yeast found in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal mucosa. This species is the most prevalent and virulent in conditions such as oral candidiasis. Myrtenol is a bicyclic monoterpene alcohol recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes. Its primary source is the essential oil extracted from plants of the Myrtaceae family. This study evaluated the effect of (-)-myrtenol on the virulence factors of Candida albicans. Ten clinical isolates of Candida albicans and one reference strain (ATCC 90028) were used in this study. The virulence factors examined included adhesion, morphogenesis, and lipase production. Assays were conducted in the presence and absence of (-)-myrtenol, using a concentration corresponding to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 256 microg/mL). Results: The compound reduced the adherence of C. albicans to human oral epithelial cells (92.24 vs. 28.69), and reduced filamentation in liquid (3.17 vs. 2.57) and solid media. Furthermore, (-)-myrtenol inhibited lipase activity (0.68 vs. 1.00). Virulence factors expressed by C. albicans contribute to increased infection rates and, consequently, increased morbidity and mortality. The present findings demonstrate that (-)-myrtenol affects virulence-associated phenotypes of C. albicans in vitro. This compound represents a promising candidate for further investigation, particularly in studies addressing its mechanisms of action, safety, and potential applicability.