In Vitro Effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume Essential Oil on Candida spp. Involved in Oral Infections

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the antifungal potential of chemically characterized essential oil (EO) of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume on Candida spp. biofilm and establishes its mode of action, effect on fungal growth kinetics, and cytotoxicity to human cells. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values varied from 62.5 to 1,000 μg/mL, and the effect seems to be due to interference with cell wall biosynthesis. The kinetics assay showed that EO at MICx2 (500 μg/mL) induced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the fungal growth after exposure for 8 h. At this concentration, the EO was also able to hinder biofilm formation and reduce Candida spp. monospecies and multispecies in mature biofilm at 24 h and 48 h (p < 0.05). A protective effect on human red blood cells was detected with the EO at concentrations up to 750 μg/mL, as well as an absence of a significant reduction (p > 0.05) in the viability of human red blood cells at concentrations up to 1,000 μg/mL. Phytochemical analysis identified eugenol as the main component (68.96%) of the EO. C. zeylanicum Blume EO shows antifungal activity, action on the yeast cell wall, and a deleterious effect on Candida spp. biofilms. This natural product did not show evidence of cytotoxicity toward human cells.

Antifungal efficacy of four different concentrations of the essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Canela) against Candida albicans: An in vitro study

“…As a result of this investigation, they observed that the aqueous cinnamon extract had no antifungal effect, whereas the EOC had positive results on C. albicans . These results together with that of other studies[ 1 2 , 5 7 ] are consistent with our research, because the essential oil of C. zeylanicum (Canela) obtained a greater antifungal effectiveness, forming a greater halo of inhibition compared with nystatin in the 24-h period.…”

“…However, a study by Rangel et al [ 5 ] showed the presence of ergosterol in the case of Candida tropicalis species; the EOC has a weak activity on the permeability of the cell membrane. This effect was not found in the C. albicans strains because the presence of ergosterol was not associated with the increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).…”

“…Opportunistic microorganisms such as fungi of the genus Candida find a favorable environment in the oral cavity, considering that four of every thousand patients who go to a dental office have symptoms of candidiasis infection. [ 2 3 4 5 ] The application of natural medicine has shown excellent results but there is still a great demand for the use of synthetic products, due to the lack of experimentation and investigation of the properties that they possess several medicinal plants, being their utility wasted and reduced. The use of medicinal substances such as essential oils is an application that is currently experiencing a new momentum.…”

Bioactive Natural Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Spice Plants: New Findings and Potential Applications

“…Bioactivity and bioactive compounds: The true cinnamon EOs have been reported by their anti-fungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, as well as cytotoxic properties against cancer cell lines [ 82 , 83 , 84 ]. Recently, a study investigated the antimicrobial activity of C. zeylanicum EO (( E )-cinnamaldehyde: 45.62%) and its main components (cinnamaldehyde and eugenol) and demonstrated that the EO showed significant inhibitory activity against bacteria and fungi strains with MIC values ranging from 20 to 120 µg∙mL −1 , depending upon the species.…”

Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) in Dentistry: A Review

“…The antifungal effects of the EO of C. zeylanicum leaves (eugenol content 68.96%) against several Candida spp., including reference strains and oral isolates of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei, showed a MIC from 62.5 to 1000 µg/mL and a MFC from 125 to 1000 µg/mL [ 76 ]. The MIC/MFC ratio was similar to that of nystatine.…”