The Potential of Thymus zygis L. (Thyme) Essential Oil Coating in Preventing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis on Intrauterine Device (IUD) Strings

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Fungal colonization and biofilm formation on intrauterine device (IUD) strings are known to contribute to recurrent infections and decreased contraceptive efficacy. This study aims to develop a novel approach to prevent Candida reservoir and biofilm formation on IUD strings, thereby lowering the risk of IUD-associated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Methods: Cervicovaginal samples were collected from human cervix using a sterile cytobrush, avoiding microbial contamination. Cytological examination using the Papanicolaou method was performed to detect the presence of Candida. The antifungal effect of the essential oils (EOs) was determined by broth dilution and disk diffusion methods. Antifungal and biofilm inhibitory effects of Thymus zygis (Tz) EO-coated IUD strings were determined by agar diffusion and crystal violet binding assays, while fungal growth on the coated strings was assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Results: Tz EO exhibited significantly lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC <= 0.06 mu L/mL) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC = 0.24 mu L/mL) values compared to Melaleuca alternifolia (Ma) EO (MIC > 0.24 mu L/mL, MFC = 1.95 mu L/mL), along with larger zones of inhibition (ZOI) against both Candida albicans (110.0 +/- 6.0 mm vs. 91.3 +/- 7.0 mm) and Candida glabrata (84.0 +/- 13.1 mm vs. 50.0 +/- 9.2 mm), indicating a stronger antifungal potential. On IUD strings coated with 4% (40 mu L/g) Tz EO in hypromellose ointment, the biofilm formation of both C. albicans and C. glabrata strains was inhibited by 58.9% and 66.7%, respectively, as confirmed by SEM and EDX. Conclusions: Tz EO-coated IUD strings effectively inhibit Candida growth, suggesting a promising natural strategy to reduce recurrent IUD-associated fungal infections. However, before these results can be translated to clinical practice, additional research is needed. Future investigations may encompass an extended number of Candida isolates, stability and release studies of the EO in relation to the formulation, toxicity to vaginal mucosa, epithelial cells and sperm motility, and the effect on vaginal microbiotia.