Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of clary sage oil and its main components, linalool and linalyl acetate, on the plasma membrane of Candida albicans: an in vivo EPR study

  • The many ways of apoptotic cell death
  • Published:
Apoptosis Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) oil (CS-oil), and its two main components, linalool (Lol) and linalyl acetate (LA), on cells of the eukaryotic human pathogen yeast Candida albicans were studied. Dynamic and thermodynamic properties of the plasma membrane were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, with 5-doxylstearic acid (5-SASL) and 16-SASL as spin labels. The monitoring of the head group regions with 5-SASL revealed break-point frequency decrease in a temperature dependent manner of the plasma membrane between 9.55 and 13.15 °C in untreated, in CS-oil-, Lol- and LA-treated membranes. The results suggest a significant increase in fluidity of the treated plasma membranes close to the head groups. Comparison of the results observed with the two spin labels demonstrated that CS-oil and LA induced an increased level of fluidization at both depths of the plasma membrane. Whereas Lol treatment induced a less (1 %) ordered bilayer organization in the superficial regions and an increased (10 %) order of the membrane leaflet in deeper layers. Acute toxicity tests and EPR results indicated that both the apoptotic and the effects exerted on the plasma membrane fluidity depended on the composition and chemical structure of the examined materials. In comparison with the control, treatment with CS-oil, Lol or LA induced 13.0, 12.3 and 26.4 % loss respectively, of the metabolites absorbing at 260 nm, as a biological consequence of the plasma membrane fluidizing effects. Our results confirmed that clary sage oil causes plasma membrane perturbations which leads to cell apoptosis process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

5-SASL:

5-Doxylstearic acid

16-SASL:

16-Doxylstearic acid

ATCC:

American type culture collection

ATP:

Adenozine-5′-triphosphate

C. albicans :

Candida albicans

CS-oil:

Clary sage oil

EPR:

Electron paramagnetic resonance

Lol:

Linalool

LA:

Linalyl acetate

MIC:

Minimum inhibitory concentration

MM:

Minimal medium

OD:

Optical density

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

GC-FID:

Gas chromatography flame ionization detector

GC-MS:

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry

HepG2:

Human liver carcinoma cells

KCl:

Potassium chloride

LRI:

Estimated linear retention indices

MIC:

Minimum inhibitory concentration

MM:

Minimal medium

MOMD-model:

Microscopic order macroscopic disorder

OD:

Optical density

RSS:

Residual sum of squares

RT:

Retention time

References

  1. Fraternale D, Giamperi L, Bucchini A, Ricci D, Epifano F, Genovese S, Curini M (2005) Composition and antifungal activity of essential oil of Salvia sclarea from Italy. Chem Nat Comp 41:604–606

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Gülçin I (2004) Evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.). Turk J Agric For 28:25–33

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jirovetz L, Buchbauer G, Denkova Z, Slavchev A, Stoyanova A, Schmidt E (2006) Chemical composition, antimicrobial activities and odour descriptions of various Salvia sp. and Thuja sp. essential oils. Nutrition 90:152–159

    Google Scholar 

  4. Jirovetz L, Wlcek K, Buchbauer G, Gochev V, Girova T, Stoyanova A, Schmidt E, Geissler M (2007) Antifungal activities of essential oils of Salvia lavandulifolia, Salvia oficinalis and Salvia sclarea against various pathogenic Candida species. JEOBP 10:430–439

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kuźma L, Kalemba D, Róźalski M, Róźalska F, Szakiel MW, Krajewska U, Wysokińska H (2009) Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil from Salvia sclarea plants regenerated in vitro. Molecules 14:1438–1447

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Peana AT, Moretti MD, Juliano C (1999) Chemical composition and antimicrobial action of the essential oils of Salvia desoleana and S. sclarea. Planta Med 65:752–754

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Hristova Y, Gochev V, Wanner J, Jirovetz L, Schmidt E, Girova T, Kuzmanov A (2013) Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil of Salvia sclarea L. from Bulgaria against clinical isolates of Candida species. J BioSci. Biotech 2:39–44

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bakkali F, Averbeck S, Idaomar M (2008) Biological effects of essential oils—a review. Food Chem Toxicol 46:446–475

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Peana AT, Moretti MDL (2002) Pharmacological activities and applications of Salvia sclarea and Salvia desoleana essential oils. In: Atta-ur-Rahman (ed) Natural products chemistry, vol 26. Elsevie, pp 391–423

  10. Letizia CS, Cocchiara J, Lalko J, Api AM (2003) Fragrance material review on linalool. Food Chem Toxicol 41:943–964

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Carson CF, Mee BJ, Riley TV (2002) Mechanism of action of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil on Staphylococcus aureus determined by time-kill, lysis, leakage and salt tolerance assays and electron microscopy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 46:1914–1920

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Ipek E, Zeytinoglu H, Okay S, Tuylu BA, Kurkcuoglu M, Husnu Can Baser K (2005) Genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of origanum oil and carvacrol evaluated by Ames Salmonella/microsomal test. Food Chem 93:551–556

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lambert RJW, Skandamis PN, Coote P, Nychas GJE (2001) A study of the minimum inhibitory concentration and mode of action of oregano essential oil, thymol and carvacrol. J Appl Microbiol 91:453–462

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Odds FC (1988) Ecology of Candida and epidemiology of candidosis. In: Candida and candidiasis: a review and bibliography, 2nd edn. Bailliére Tindall, London

  15. Pauli A (2006) Anticandidial low molecular compounds from higher plants with special reference to compounds from essential oils. Med Res Rev 26:223–268

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Zore GB, Thakre AD, Rathod V, Karuppayil SM (2011) Evaluation of anti-Candida potential of geranium oil constituents against clinical isolates of Candida albicans differentially sensitive to fluconazole: inhibition of growth, dimorphism and sensitization. Mycoses 54:99–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Soylu EM, Soylu S, Kurt S (2006) Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of various plants against tomato late blight disease agent Phytophthora infestans. Mycopathologia 161:119–128

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Santoro GF, Cardoso MG, Guimaraes LG, Mendonca LZ, Soares MJ (2007) Trypanosoma cruzi: activity of essential oils from Achillea millefolium L., Syzygium aromaticum L. and Ocimum basilicum L. on epimastigotes and trypomastigotes. Exp Parasitol 116:283–290

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Santoro GF, das Gracas CM, Guimaraes LG, Salgado AP, Menna-Barreto RF, Soares MJ (2007) Effect of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oils on Trypanosoma cruzi (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) growth and ultrastructure. Parasitol Res 100:783–790

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Pesti M, Horvath L, Vígh L, Farkas T (1985) Lipid content and ESR determination of plasma membrane order parameter in Candida albicans sterol mutants. Acta Microbiol Hung 32:305–313

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Pesti M, Novák EK, Ferenczy L, Svoboda A (1981) Freeze fracture electron microscopical investigation of Candida albicans cells sensitive and resistant to nystatin Sabouraudia. J Med Microbiol 19:17–26

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Pesti M, Gazdag Z, Belagyi J (2000) In vivo interaction of trivalent chromium with yeast plasma membrane, as revealed by EPR spectroscopy. FEMS Microbiol Lett 182:375–380

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Virág E, Pesti M, Kunsagi-Mate S (2012) Complex formation between primycin and ergosterol. Entropy-driven initiation of modification of the fungal plasma membrane structure. J Antibiot 65:193–196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. NCCLS (2002) Reference method for broth dilution antifungal susceptibility, testing of yeasts: approved standard. National Committee of Clinical Laboratory Standards, Wayne

  25. Zore GB, Thakre AD, Jadhav S, Karuppayil SM (2011) Terpenoids inhibit Candida albicans growth by affecting membrane integrity and arrest of cell cycle. Phytomedicine 18:1181–1190

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Virág E, Belágyi J, Gazdag Z, Vágvölgyi Cs, Pesti M (2012) In vivo direct interaction of primycin antibiotic with the plasma membrane of Candida albicans: an EPR study. Biochim Biophys Acta 1818:42–48

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Virág E, Juhász Á, Kardos R, Gazdag Z, Papp G, Pénzes Á, Nyitrai M, Vágvölgyi Cs, Pesti M (2012) In vivo direct interaction of the antibiotic primycin on a Candida albicans clinical isolate and its ergosterol-less mutant. Acta Biol Hung 63:38–51

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Swidergall M, Ernst AM, Ernst JF (2013) Candida albicans muscin Msb2 is a broad-range protectant against antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 57:3917–3922

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Lee J, Dawes IW, Roe JH (1995) Adaptive response of Schizosaccharomyces pombe to hydrogen peroxide and menadione. Microbiology 141:3127–3132

  30. Bertoli A, Sarosi S, Bernath J, Pistelli L (2010) Characterization of some Italian ornamental thyme by their aroma. Natural Product Comm 5:291–296

  31. Van den Dool H, Kratz P (1963) A generalization of the retention index system including linear temperature programmed gas–liquid partition chromatography. J Chromatogr 11:463–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Belagyi J, Pas M, Raspor P, Pesti M, Pali T (1999) Effect of hexavalent chromium on eukaryotic plasma membrane studied by EPR spectroscopy. Biochim Biophys Acta 1421:175–182

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Brito MA, Brondino CD, Moura JJ, Brites D (2001) Effects of bilirubin molecular species on membrane dynamic properties of human erythrocyte membranes: a spin label electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Arch Biochem Biophys 387:57–65

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Schreier S, Frezzatti WA, Aranjo PS, Chaimovich H, Cuccovia IM (1984) Effect of lipid membranes on the apparent pK of the local anaesthetic tetracaine. Spin label and titration studies. Biochim Biophys Acta 769:231–237

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Bianconi ML, Do Amaral AA, Schreier S (1988) Use of membrane spin label spectra to monitor rates of reaction of partitioning compounds: hydrolysis of a local aesthetic analogue. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 152:344–350

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Rodrigues CMP, Sola S, Sharpe JC, Moura JJG, Steer CJ (2003) Tauroursodeoxycholic acid prevents Bax-induced membrane perturbation and cytochrome c release in isolated mitochondria. Biochemistry 42:3070–3080

  37. Mason RP, Giavedoni EB, Dalmasso AP (1977) Complement-induced decrease in membrane mobility: introducing a more sensitive index of spin-label motion. Biochemistry 16:1196–1201

  38. Budil DE, Lee S, Saxena S, Freed JH (1996) Nonlinear-least-squares analysis of slow-motion EPR spectra in one and two dimensions using a modified Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. J Magn Reson Ser A 120:155–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Meirovitch E, Freed JH (1984) Analysis of slow-motional electron-spin resonance-spectra in smectic phases in terms of molecular-configuration, intermolecular interactions, and dynamics. J Phys Chem-Us 88:4995–5004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Meirovitch E, Nayeem A, Freed JH (1984) Analysis of protein lipid interactions based on model simulations of electron-spin resonance-spectra. J Phys Chem-Us 88:3454–3465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Hubbell WL, McConell M (1971) Molecular motion in spin-labeled phospholipids and membranes. J Am Chem Soc 93:314–326

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Hemminga MA, Berliner LJ (2007) ESR spectroscopy in membrane biophysics, biological magnetic resonance. vol. 27. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  43. Keith AD, Bulfield G, Snipes W (1970) Spin-labeled Neurospora mitochondria. Biophys J 10:618–629

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Kivelson D (1960) Theory of ESR line widths of free radicals. J Chem Phys 33:1094–1106

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Blaskó A, Mike N, Gróf P, Gazdag Z, Czibulya Z, Nagy L, Kunsági-Máté S, Pesti M (2013) Citrinin-induced fluidization of the plasma membrane of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Food Chem Toxicol 59:636–642

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Jones RH, Molitoris BA (1984) Astatistical method for determining the breakpoint of two lines. Anal Biochem 141:287–290

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Kaszas N, Bozo T, Budai M, Grof P (2013) Ciprofloxacin encapsulation into giant unilamellar vesicles: membrane binding and release. J Pharm Sci 102:694–705

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Kupi T, Grof P, Nyitrai M, Belagyi J (2009) The uncoupling of the effects of formins on the local and global dynamics of actin filaments. Biophys J 96:2901–2911

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Kupi T, Grof P, Nyitrai M, Belagyi J (2013) Interaction of formin FH2 with skeletal muscle actin. EPR and DSC studies. Eur Biophis J 42:757–765

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Szabó Z, Budai M, Blasko K, Grof P (2004) Molecular dynamics of the cyclic lipodepsipeptides’ action on model membranes: effects of syringopeptin22A, syringomycin E, and syringotoxin studied by EPR technique. Biochim biophys acta 1660:118–130

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. O’Neill AJ, Miller K, Oliva B, Chopra I (2004) Comparison of assays for detection of agents causing membrane damage in Staphylococcus aureus. J Antimicrob Chemother 54:1127–1129

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Cai J, Lin P, Zhu X, Su Q (2006) Comparative analysis of clary sage (S. sclarea L.) oil volatiles by GC-FITR and GC-MS. Food Chem 99:401–407

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Tserennadmid R, Takó M, Galgóczy L, Papp T, Pesti M, Vágvölgyi Cs, Almássy K, Krisch J (2011) Antiyeast activities of some essential oils in growth medium, fruit juices and milk. Int J Food Microbiol 144:480–486

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Gazdag Z, Fujs S, Kőszegi B, Kálmán N, Papp G, Emri T, Belágyi J, Pócsi I, Raspor P, Pesti M (2011) The abc1 - /coq8 - respiratory-deficient mutant of Schizosaccharomyces pombe suffers from glutathione underproduction and hyperaccumulates Cd2+. Folia Microbiol 56:353–359

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Papp G, Horváth E, Mike N, Gazdag Z, Belágyi J, Gyöngyi Z, Bánfalvi G, Hornok L, Pesti M (2012) Regulation of patulin-induced oxidative stress processes in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Food Chem Toxicol 50:3792–3798

  56. Sikkema J, de Bont JAM, Poolman B (1995) Mechanisms of membrane toxicity of hydrocarbons. Microbiol Rev 59:201–222

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Sikkema J, de Bont JAM, Poolman B (1994) Interactions of cyclic hydrocarbons with biological membranes. J Biol Chem 269:8022–8028

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Ultee A, Bennik MH, Moezelaar R (2002) The phenolic hydroxyl group of carvacrol is essential for action against the food-borne pathogen Bacillus cereus. Appl Environ Microbiol 68:1561–1568

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  59. Turina AV, Nolan MV, Zygadlo JA, Perillo MA (2006) Natural terpenes: self-assembly and membrane partitioning. Biophys Chem 122:101–113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Gill AO, Holley RA (2006) Disruption of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Lactobacillus sakei cellular membranes by plant oil aromatics. Int J Food Microbiol 108:1–9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Gustafson JE, Liew YC, Chew S, Markham JL, Bell HC, Wyllie SG, Warmington JR (1998) Effects of tea tree oil on Escherichia coli. Lett Appl Microbiol 26:194–198

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Cox SD, Mann CM, Markham JL, Bell HC, Gustafson JE, Warmington JR, Wyllie SG (2000) The mode of antimicrobial action of essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil). J Appl Microbiol 88:170–175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Mann CM, Cox SD, Markham JL (2000) The outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6749 contributes to its tolerance to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil). Lett Appl Microbiol 30:294–297

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Ultee A, Kets EPW, Alberda M, Hoekstra FA, Smid EJ (2000) Adaptation of the food-borne pathogen Bacillus cereus to carvacrol. Arch Microbiol 174:233–238

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Epand RM (2006) Cholesterol and the interaction of proteins with membrane domains. Prog Lipid Res 45:279–294

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Marsh D (1981) Electron spin resonance: spin labels. In: Grell E (ed) Membrane spectroscopy. Springer, Berlin, pp 51–142

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  67. Farkas N, Pesti M, Belágyi J (2003) Effects of hexavalent chromium on the plasma membranes of sensitive and tolerant mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. An EPR study. Biochim Biophys Acta 1611:217–222

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Horváth E, Papp G, Gazdag Z, Belágyi J, Vágvölgyi Cs, Pesti M (2010) In vivo interaction of patulin with the plasma membrane of Schizosaccharomyces pombe as revealed by EPR spectroscopy. Food Chem Toxicol 48:1898–1904

  69. Kálmán N, Gazdag Z, Certic M, Belágyi J, Selim S, Pócsi I, Pesti M (2014) Adaptation to t-BuOOH at a plasma membrane level in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and its t-BuOOH-resistant mutant. J Basic Microbiol 54:215–225

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Kubo I, Muroi H, Himejima M, Kubo A (1993) Antibacterial activity of long-chain alcohols: the role of hydrophobic alkyl groups. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 3:1305–1308

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Anjos JLV, Net DS, Alonso A (2007) Effects of 1,8-cineole on the dynamic of lipids and proteins of stratum corneum. Int J Pharm 345:81–87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Khan A, Ahmad A, Akhtar F, Yousuf S, Xess I, Khan LA, Manzoor N (2010) Ocimum sanctum essential oil and its active principles exert their antifungal activity by disrupting ergosterol biosynthesis and membrane integrity. Res Microbiol 161:816–823

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Usta J, Kreydiyyeh S, Knio K, Barnabe P, Bou-Moughlabay Y, Dagher S (2009) Linalool decreases HepG2 viability by inhibiting mitochondrial complexes I and II, increasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing ATP and GSH levels. Chem Biol Interact 180:39–46

  74. Gu Y, Ting Z, Qiu X, Zhang X, Gan X, Fang Y, Xu X, Xu R (2010) Linalool preferentially induces robust apoptosis of variety of leukaemia cells via upregulating p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Toxicology 268:19–24

  75. Mitić-Ćulafić D, Žegura B, Nikolić B, Vuković-Gaćić B, Knežević-Vukćević J, Filipič M (2009) Protective effect of linalool, myrcene and eucalyptol against t-butyl hydroperoxide induced genotoxicity in bacteria and cultured human cells. Food Chem Toxicol 47:260–266

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Lee TC, Lewis MJ (1968) Mechanism of release of nucleotidic material by fermenting brewer’s yeast. J Food Sci 33:124–128

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the European Union and the State of Hungary, co-financed by the European Social Fund in the framework of TÁMOP 4.2.4. A/2-11-1-2012-0001 ‘National Excellence Program’. The project was subsidized in part by Grants PL-15/2009 and TÁMOP-4.2.1./B-10/2/KONV-2010-0002.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ágnes Blaskó.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Blaskó, Á., Gazdag, Z., Gróf, P. et al. Effects of clary sage oil and its main components, linalool and linalyl acetate, on the plasma membrane of Candida albicans: an in vivo EPR study. Apoptosis 22, 175–187 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-016-1321-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-016-1321-7

Keywords

Navigation